Tribal members take over council chambers in South Dakota

John MacDonald

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 | 1:23 a.m.

AGENCY VILLAGE, S.D. - Some Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux tribal members have barricaded themselves in the tribal council building at Agency Village.

And FBI Special Agent Paul McCabe said at least one weapon was seen inside the tribal headquarters.

The weapon was described by council members and law enforcement as a military-style rifle, McCabe said in an interview.

The tribal members barricaded themselves in the council chambers Tuesday afternoon after the council adjourned a meeting.

"This started out as a council meeting. When the council meeting was adjourned, some people who were in attendance there asked for the resignation of the council and the gaming board. And they adjourned the council, and then these people were joined by some armed individuals," McCabe said.

One of the protesters, Dave Flute, denied the group has any weapons.

But when asked what would happen if law enforcement forcefully entered the building, he said, "Aggression would only cause more aggression." A Watertown radio station interviewed him by telephone.

Smiley Shepherd, a former manager of two of the tribe's casinos, told the Watertown Public Opinion that those inside the building have no weapons.

"They probably saw someone carrying a mop," Shepherd said. "We're not putting up any (violent) resistance. But, if they try to force something, our supporters might do something."

Reports indicated that anywhere from eight to 15 people were inside the building.

According to broadcast reports, power was cut off to the building and food was not being allowed in.

A statement from the people occupying the building alleged corruption and irresponsible behavior by tribal leaders. "Now we want a federal investigation into corruption within our tribe," according to the statement.

Late this morning, a group of about 50 people marched outside the building in support of the protesters. One member of that group, David L. Seaboy, was detained by Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal police but later was released and allowed to rejoin the others.

He said the group was formed to show its support for the dissidents inside. "They went in there demanding a simple thing for the betterment of the tribal members," Seaboy said. The group wanted "just to get in and assure ... these guys that the people are with them."

The BIA blocked the road leading up to the tribal headquarters. Officials were only allowing tribal members through.

Carl Free, special investigator for the BIA, said reporters were being kept away from the scene on orders of Andrew Grey Sr., the tribal chairman.

Free would not comment other than to say law enforcement officials decided to allow the marchers to stay near the building.

The protesters' statement listed two demands:

School was called off at the Tiospa Zina tribal school today. And the wife of one of the protesters told a reporter that security has been beefed up at tribal casinos.

Flute said the root of the problem is concerns over tribal gaming. Plus, he said, more access is needed to higher-paying jobs.

Law officers used floodlights to illuminate the building Tuesday night, according to flute.

Most tribal members don't support the protesters' tactics, Grey said.

In a statement today, he said any problems can be resolved by following the tribal constitution and bylaws.

Grey said the tribal council wanted to wait two weeks before taking formal action on the group's complaints about the management structure of the tribe's gaming corporation. But the group was not satisfied with that and some refused to leave the building, he said.

Tribal law officers tried to escort them out but were met with resistance, Grey said.

Meanwhile in the southwestern corner of the state, an occupation of the Oglala Sioux tribal headquarters continues. A group of American Indians has kept an around-the-clock vigil at the building in Pine Ridge since Jan. 16 in a stalemate with a faction representing the tribal treasurer, whom they have accused of mismanaging funds.