A former employee who was denied unemployment benefits after losing her job with the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe lost her lawsuit before the South Dakota Supreme Court on Thursday.

Helen Gilbert, the former tribal education coordinator, was fired for violating tribal policy against political activity. She wrote a scathing critique of tribal officials on tribal letterhead.

"Employee morale is low, and cynicism is high," Gilbert wrote in the letter sent to the tribe's executive committee. "Very few of us care anymore."

Gilbert tried to claim unemployment after being terminated but the state rejected her. The Supreme Court affirmed, saying she violated the political activity policy and that her speech was not protected.

Get the Story:
High court backs ruling against ex-employee (AP 12/1)

Court Decision:
Gilbert v. Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

Relevant Links:
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe - http://www.fsst.org