Tribal members take over council chambers in South Dakota

John MacDonald

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000 | 9:12 a.m.

AGENCY VILLAGE, S.D. - Negotiations were under way Wednesday to resolve a stalemate between leaders of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe and protesters who took over tribal headquarters.

Andrew Grey Sr., tribal chairman, reportedly was at the council headquarters to try to talk with the protesters, who barricaded themselves inside the building late Tuesday afternoon.

Juliana Williams also said that her husband, Lars, a tribal member, was allowed into the building to try to negotiate.

A statement from the people occupying the building alleged corruption and irresponsible behavior by tribal leaders.

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

"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 in an interview.

But at least two others interviewed denied the protesters have weapons.

"They probably saw someone carrying a mop," Smiley Shepherd, former manager of two of the tribe's casinos, told the Watertown Public Opinion. "We're not putting up any (violent) resistance. But, if they try to force something, our supporters might do something."

One of the protesters, David Flute, also 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.

Early reports indicated anywhere from eight to 15 people were inside the building. Later, estimates ranged as high as 25. Vietnam War veterans and tribal elders reportedly 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 group said.

"Now we want a federal investigation into corruption within our tribe," the statement 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." The group wanted "just to get in and assure ... these guys that the people are with them."

FBI officers and tribal police blocked roads throughout the area and were only allowing tribal members through to the headquarters.

Carl Free, special investigator for the BIA, said reporters were being kept away from the scene on Grey's orders.

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:

- "We want the tribal council to immediately reconvene and discuss our original issue. When the council has satisfactorily taken care of our primary issue, we will peacefully leave this building in the same fashion that we arrived."

- Tribal members who work for the tribe or casinos will not lose their jobs or suffer repercussion from the council or casino managers because of the occupation.

The group also wants an audit of the tribe's bag factory, Dakota Western Inc., to find out why it needs federal and tribal government subsidies to continue operating.

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

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

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