Oglala Sioux Tribe continues fight over border town liquor sales

Wednesday, March 6, 2013  

The Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota isn't giving up on its campaign to stop the sale of liquor in a town just across the border in Nebraska.

Activists and leaders of the tribe, including President Bryan Brewer, have been going to Whiteclay to protest four stores that sell millions of cans a beer every year. The Pine Ridge Reservation is dry so most of the liquor is consumed by tribal members.

“We’ve reached a breaking point,” Natalie Hand, a tribal activist, told The Los Angeles Times. “We’re tired of the issue of Whiteclay.”

The tribe lost a lawsuit in federal court aimed at liquor companies and distributors that provide beer to the stores. Other lawsuits are possible.

Get the Story:
S. Dakota's Pine Ridge tribe is at 'breaking point' over alcohol (The Los Angeles Times 3/6)

Students launch boycott of beer products due to Whiteclay (01/24)
NPR: Oglala Sioux Tribe weighs next move on Whiteclay liquor (10/12)
Oglala Sioux Tribe could pursue Whiteclay lawsuit in state court (10/03)