Uranium mining an issue for Oglala Sioux Tribe

Monday, December 10, 2007  

The mere mention of uranium mining was enough to stir controversy for the president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

The Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council accused President John Yellow Bird Steele of working with a New York company to develop uranium on the Pine Ridge Reservation. That was just a rumor and the tribal council voted 14-1 last week to exonerate Steele.

Native American Energy Group said it would pay for a groundwater study on the reservation. Executives said it's possible that uranium is contaminating the water supply.

NAEG has oil and gas interests on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana and is working with other tribes. But a judge for the Oglala Sioux Tribe has barred the company at Pine Ridge.

The tribe has passed a ban on uranium mining. The Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council and the Defenders of the Black Hills oppose uranium mining.

Get the Story:
Uranium rumors roil Oglala tribal politics (The Rapid City Journal 12/9)

$rl Native American Energy Group - http://www.nativeamericanenergy.com

Oglala Sioux council won't impeach president (12/6)