http://www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com/
PORCUPINE, S.D. -- The occupation of the elderly center at Porcupine remains underway. Duane Martin, Sr., of the Strongheart Warrior Society, who led the occupation remains in jail.
Meanwhile, the Porcupine District Council passed a resolution for the removal of occupiers for Friday, April 1, 2011.
In related news, the Oglala Sioux Tribe suspended council representative Deborah Rooks-Cook on Tuesday, for 20 days without pay, following allegations of elderly abuse.
The alleged abuse by Rooks-Cook was one of the incidents that led up to the occupation of the elderly center. The council voted 10-7 to suspend Rooks-Cook following an impeachment complaint filed by Darlis Morrison-Crow.
The Rapid City Journal reports that he council voted 10-7 to suspend Rooks-Cook following an impeachment complaint filed by Darlis Morrison-Crow. The complaint alleges that Rooks-Cook's behavior was verbally and physically abusive to Lakota elders outside of tribal headquarters, following an executive committee meeting on Jan. 25. Those voting against suspending Rooks-Cook were: Elaine Martinez, Toby Big Boy, Paul Little, Robin Tapio, Jim Meeks, Beverly Tuttle and Kevin Yellow Bird Steele.
Today, the Lakota Oyate said that elders from the occupation will attend an Oglala Tribal Council session. The Lakota Oyate stated that Duane Martin is being imprisoned illegally on false charges.
The Porcupine District Council, however, does not support the occupation of the elderly center.
The resolution, calling for removal of the occupiers, states that on Friday, March 4, 2011 "a small group of elders and non residents illegally occupied the Porcupine Elderly meals center building, and in the process, disrupted much needed services to the majority of elders in the district." The resolution makes allegations against those occupying the elderly center.
The occupiers, however, continue to deny the allegations and have initiated investigations into unsanitary conditions, spoiled food and corruption at the elderly center.
When the occupation began, the Strongheart Warrior Society said, "The elders and warrior societies are demanding the removal of all current center staff, the construction of a new, sanitary building, restoration of healthy meals, expansion of elderly meals to those homebound, and investigation into the graft and corruption in the program no matter where it leads. The occupation will continue until these demands are met."
Read more:
Porcupine resolution seeks removal of occupiers on Friday:
http://censored-news.blogspot.com/2011/03/porcupine-resolution-seeks-removeal-of.html
Rapid City Journal: Rooks-Cook's removal
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/article_f45521ee-5af0-11e0-9b2b-001cc4c002e0.html Statements from the Strongheart Warrior Society
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2011/03/lakota-occupation-tribal-officials-no.html
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Also in the news today from South Dakota Indian country:
Native Sun News: Radiation levels high on South Dakota Indian lands
Read the article by Talli Nauman, and the results of water samples by Defenders of the Black Hills:
"A U.S. Forest Service Draft Environmental Impact Statement showing 89 abandoned uranium mines in extreme northwest South Dakota alerted Defenders of the Black Hills to the potential for radioactive contamination of water supplies downstream, according to the report."
http://64.38.12.138/News/2011/000987.asp
Related: South Dakota eases uranium mining laws:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/16/us-uranium-southdakota-idUSTRE72F0CX20110316
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