Oglala Sioux Tribe alcohol referendum in limbo due to court case

Monday, April 14, 2014  

Members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota voted last year to legalize alcohol but implementation remains in limbo.

Opponents are fighting the referendum in tribal court. So President Bryan Brewer, who doesn't support alcohol sales, plans to ask for a new vote.

"There was a lot of problems with the first one," Brewer told KOTA Radio, referring to the August 2013 referendum. "I really believe that if we are going to legalize it, we want to do it right and we want to get an accurate vote of the people.

Except for a brief period in 1970, the Pine Ridge Reservation has been dry since its creation in 1889. Most other tribes in South Dakota allow liquor, although its sale is typically restricted.

Get the Story:
Re-Vote On Allowing Alcohol (KOTA 4/14)
Oglala Sioux president speaks of alcohol, poverty and Keystone XL (The Lincoln Journal Star 4/11)

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Official results confirm Oglala Sioux Tribe vote for liquor sales (8/15)
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Oglala Sioux Tribe ready for major referendum on liquor sales (8/12)