For all of those you have supported our efforts through food donations and prayers, we say wopila (thank you). After 137 days in our peaceful occupation of the Tribe’s administrative office building, we believe the time has come for the United States to witness a force which they cannot begin to fathom - Natural Law.

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL??
As lineal descendants of the original signers of the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty with the U.S., we feel wholeheartedly that we should not pledge our allegiance to the United States of America and that the “purple mountain majesties and the fruited plains” that they endearingly refer to, actually belong to the First Americans of this island. We believe that we are acting within our inherent rights to demand that the U.S. conduct itself in a respectful, professional manner when dealing with sovereign nations such as ours.

COURAGE CONQUERS ALL…
The courage of my people to stand and demand justice and reform has created a ripple effect throughout Indian country. Through our efforts, dozens of other tribes are reviewing their own tribal governance systems and treaty rights. The official position of the U.S. is that the crisis at Pine Ridge is merely a “law enforcement issue”. So why haven’t the Grass Roots Oyate been removed from the building?? Because they have not broken any laws and the U.S. knows it. Natural Law.

We assure you that we are not a small group of gun-toting militants. We came into the Red Cloud Building “armed” only with a sacred cannupa and an eagle staff. We represent the “silent majority” of this nation who has exhausted all its “remedies” to achieve a better way of life for generations yet to be born. We are men, grandmothers, women, children, full bloods, mixed-bloods, Lakota speakers, non-Lakota speakers, tribal employees, BIA employees, etc. Our movement knows no societal boundaries.

THE RIGHT HAND DOESN’T KNOW WHAT THE LEFT HAND IS DOING…
Since our occupation began on January 16th, we have received only one documented response from the United States government. In summary, Kevin Gover, Assistant Secretary of the Interior Department, told the Grass Roots to leave the building or risk losing federal funding. How can a subordinate employee of the U.S. government address the Chiefs of our nation in this way and break treaty law at the same time? Most likely, he is fearful that he will again be called to the mat for not properly managing the BIA’s land offices. It is only a matter of time before the U.S. Congress realizes that you cannot fix the BIA’s IIM Account System without a clean treaty land audit!

We have made numerous attempts to discuss our plans with the U.S. to no avail. Which begs the question: has any of our information even passed Kevin Gover’s desk and been read by President Clinton? Or Secretary Babbit?

The IRA (Indian Reorganization Act) Tribal Council has made several trips to Washington, D.C. (with tribal funds) to diminish our integrity and quash any evidence that may implicate their illegal activities.

D.C. OR BUST…
Therefore, a small delegation of treaty elders has been selected to drive to Washington to meet with U.S. President William Clinton and Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit. We are planning to depart the third week of June and return the following week. The timing for this trip is crucial, as it coincides with the anniversary of the Battle at Little Big Horn. We are planning a full-scale press conference on the Mall to express our concerns.

Like senior citizens everywhere, we live on a very limited monthly income. As a result of the occupation, the tribal treasurer and tribal council have implemented even more severe financial restrictions upon us and anyone affiliated with our cause.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP US GET TO WASHINGTON, D.C.??
Our biggest obstacle to date is transportation! Most of our elders have never been on an airplane and do not intend to start now. We are in need of a vehicle that can transport up to ten people comfortably, possibly either an extra-long van or two mini-vans. Additionally: