Standoff ends on South Dakota reservation

John MacDonald

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000 | 10:17 a.m.

AGENCY VILLAGE, S.D. - Protesters filed out of the tribal headquarters here, claiming their takeover of the building achieved their goals.

Protesters began filing out the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribal headquarters shortly after 3 p.m. on Wednesday. One unidentified man shook his fist and yelled: "Power to the people." Others honked their horns as they drove away flashing thumbs-up signs.

Robert Thompson, one of the organizers, said his group's demands were met.

Protesters, including Vietnam War veterans and tribal elders, barricaded themselves in the headquarters building late Tuesday afternoon in a dispute with the tribal council. The protesters alleged corruption in the tribal government and wanted changes in the panel that controls the tribe's casinos.

Negotiations between tribal leaders and the protesters were calm, said Rosebud Marshall, judicial representative from the Old Agency District, one of the tribe's seven districts.

"No tension at all," she said Wednesday afternoon. "It was very cordial."

Tribal Chairman Andrew Grey Sr. and the council started negotiating about 1:30 p.m. They met with the protesters and representatives of the seven districts.

The council agreed to a 90-day suspension of the seven-member panel that governs the tribal casinos, Marshall said. During that time, the protesters' concerns and complaints will be studied, she said.

Betty Jo Kirk, Old Agency District treasurer, said the takeover arose out of frustration from people who did not believe their concerns were being addressed.

"It was a matter of, 'How do I get your attention?' This is what worked," she said.

"I think it worked out for the betterment of everybody," tribal member Barry Zephier said. "There are a lot of issues to resolve."

The takeover occurred to show the council the tribe is run by the people, he said. "The people finally got tired and fed up and demanded some attention."

A steady stream of cars rumbled down the road from the building about 3:30 p.m. after the talks ended. One man shook his fist triumphantly and yelled "Power to the people!"

Grey was not available for comment after the talks.

FBI, tribal police and Bureau of Indian Affairs officials had cordoned off the area around the headquarters during the takeover. Under Grey's orders, reporters were not allowed in the tribal headquarters area Wednesday afternoon.

"This started out as a council meeting" on Tuesday, said Paul McCabe, special agent with the FBI in Minneapolis. "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."

No shots were fired. Several protesters and their supporters denied they had any weapons.

"They probably saw someone carrying a mop," Smiley Shepherd, former manager of two of the tribe's casinos, told the Watertown Public Opinion.

Several supporters hinted that they would have fought back if tribal officials or the FBI had used force to end the stalemate.

Early reports indicated anywhere from eight to 15 people were inside the building. Later estimates ranged to 25. Vietnam War veterans and tribal elders were among those inside.

Power was cut off to the building and at first, food was not being allowed in. Later Wednesday, food was taken to the protesters.

Tribal leaders have grown wealthy from casino proceeds while the tribe's poor have gotten poorer, the protesters said.

"This corruption has to stop," Shepherd said. "Our elders are being abused, living in snake-infested apartments while the council and (casino) executives are making high five-digit salaries."

Late Wednesday morning, a group of about 50 people pushed police aside and marched outside the building in support of the protesters.

One marcher, David L. Seaboy, said the protesters "went in there demanding a simple thing for the betterment of the tribal members."

Classes were called off Wednesday at the Tiospa Zina tribal school and at Sisseton-Wahpeton Community College.