A Small Victory in a Fascist State

While banal politicians were chattering away on who listens to the people, the police came to school and took a boy away from his grandmother, the one who raised him from infancy, put the boy in a squad car and drove off.

While shallow candidates were talking about treaty rights and self-determination, a full blooded Lakota woman was being hauled off to jail by the police all because some teenage thugs were throwing bricks at her and saying she called them little bastards. She was put in jail.

While the would-be Council politicians were debating the pros and cons of economic development and how they could help small businesses, the police and Revenue were harassing the poor little vendors who stand in the cold at Billy Mills to sell their homemade items and rummage. The police ran them right on out of there.

While candidates were droning on how important small business opportunities are, the Revenue lackey from the Tribe was handing out paperwork on how they have to pay taxes on beadwork and rummage. And if the people refused, they were chased away like dogs by the police.

While the candidates were moaning about sovereignty and what to do about the increased need for housing, 5 more people were evicted from their homes, including yours truly, who built the house she was living in.

While Council candidates were explaining how they would improve the justice system, Judge Lisa Cook was handing out 1 and 2 year sentences and fines of over $1000. When the people tried to get the judge removed, the Council reps ran and hid from the people, and kept hiding from one end of the Reservation, Wanblee, to the other, the Casino, and were refused to meet and talk with the people about real issues that affect people’s lives.

While the politicos were busy feathering their nest, a little victory was made for the people who took their complaints to Chief Oliver Red Cloud, who responded immediately with a notice to all tyrants as follows:

NOTICE TO: Pine Ridge Village
OST Revenue
Public Safety

FORM: Oliver Red Cloud

ON BEHALF OF: The People of Pine Ridge Reservation who sell their homemade goods and rummage

I have been asked by the People to defend their right to have a Reservation wide yard sale, craft sale, cook sale, rummage sale and the right to meet peacefully to visit. The first of the month flea market is for all people.

The parking lot by Billy Mills belongs to the people. When the Tribe fails to protect the rights of the people, then I, Oliver Red Cloud, Chief of the Oglala Sioux Nation, must stand up for the poor people. When the Treaty was signed, it did not include half breeds to have or control the land. The land belongs to the people. We let you live and have a place in Pine Ridge Village. But you don’t own any land. Districts don’t own land. When did the District’s start owning land?

Now you have pushed the real People out. These People need to pay their light bills and phone. They need gas money. Why don’t you move out? Where’s your land? You have no rights and no land. How would you like it if we pushed you down to the pow wow grounds? If we kick you out? You would be cry babying all around. What kind of Indian are you? Shame on you.

People, the Ogalala and residents of Pine Ridge Reservation, are not to be taxed, or licensed, or required to report to anyone, just to be allowed to earn a few dollars. These People are the Oyate. They are not businesses. They are doing the best they can to survive. And you should come out and support them instead of harassing them.

The people can set up at the Billy Mills parking lot. They should be encouraged, not discouraged. I fully support them and their right to live and exist on the Pine Ridge Reservation. As Chief, these people come under my protection when Tribal government fails to act in their behalf. Don’t bother these people no more. If you want to bother someone, come and see me. If you want to run someone out, come and see me. If you want to send the police after someone, come and see me. I will tell you what your rights are and what the People’s rights are.


Oliver Red Cloud
Chief of the Oglalas

Stella Rowland
Head of Market