National
Fire Thunder challenged on abortion clinic plan


Cecilia Fire Thunder, the president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, faces impeachment and a lawsuit over her plan to open an abortion clinic on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

William Birdnecklace, an attorney, says tribal law protects unborn infants. Last week, he filed an injunction in tribal court against the abortion clinic and an impeachment complaint with the tribal council.

Last year, Fire Thunder was the target of an impeachment complaint filed by Birdnecklace, a former tribal employee. After being suspended for 68 days, the council rejected the charges this past January.

Fire Thunder, a nurse, plans to open the Sacred Choices Clinic to provide women's health services. She is advocating the idea on her own, not as an official action of the tribe.

Get the Story:
Legality of reservation clinic is questioned (AP 4/9)
South Dakota Indian Abortion Business May Violate Pro-Life Tribal Law (LifeNews.com 4/9)

aRelevant Links:
Oglala Sioux Tribe - http://www.lakotamall.com/oglalasiouxtribe

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