Native Sun News: Former Oglala Sioux president seeks new post

Wednesday, January 5, 2011  

The following story was written and reported by Ernestine Chasing Hawk. All content © Native Sun News.

OGLALA, SOUTH DAKOTA — Among those seeking the position of secretary for the Oglala Sioux Tribe is ousted President Theresa Two Bulls who was defeated in November by John Yellowbird Steele.

According to an amended election ordinance the Tribe extended its application deadline for the positions of tribal secretary, treasurer, fifth member and sergeant of arms until Jan. 13.

Among those vying against the former president for the secretaries position are Garfield Apple, and OST secretary Rhonda Two Eagle.

The appointment for these four constitutional offices was once filled by the newly elected tribal council during their first council meeting after they are sworn into office but the new council wanted to see more applicants’ and voted during their Dec. 8, meeting to extend the application deadline for an additional 30 days.

Yellow Bird Steele has expressed concerns that the extension may violate the legal rights of those who met the original application deadline.

According to Francis Pumpkinseed, chairman of the OST Election Commission acting OST treasurer Dean Patton had not filed an application as of Tuesday, but six other applicants had including former OST treasurer Crystal Eagle Elk, Pamela Giago, Fred Brown Sr., Gerald Big Crow, Kim Clausen, and Lloyd Goings. Goings is new to tribal politics, but has a good background in business and accounting. He said that if he is elected he will do his best to bring honesty and integrity back to the Treasurer’s job.

Pamela Giago is the former manager of the Prairie Wind Casino and has an extensive background in accounting while serving more than 20 years with the BIA. Giago said she was terminated from her job as casino manager because of tribal politics. She said she was trying to turn the casino into a profit making business, but she was thwarted by certain member of the OST Council.

Myron Pourier, the current fifth member, and 11 other people have submitted applications for the office of fifth member.

Abraham Tobacco the current Sergeant of Arms, is the only applicant for that position.

The five member Executive Committee consists of the President, Vice-President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Fifth Member. The Executive Committee acts on behalf of the Tribal Council when the Tribal Council is not in session and is in charge of all routine matters that arise during recess, including the administration of the land provisions of the OST constitution, and other matters delegated to it by the Tribal Council. They make a report at each regular and special session of the Tribal Council, and cannot adopt resolutions that are inconsistent with resolutions or ordinances adopted by the Tribal Council.

(Contact Ernestine Chasing Hawk at: staffwriter@nsweekly.com)