And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Yankton Sioux Tribe officials under fire http://www.indiancountry.com/B40.html By David Melmer Today staff MARTY, S.D. - Political malcontents are disrupting routine business for the Yankton Sioux Tribe, says Steve Cournoyer Jr., tribal chairman, and violence or a take-over are possibilities. Tribal members who claim they make up the general council, the policy-making body of the tribe, assert the present administration, headed by Cournoyer, provides financial gain to political supporters and family members at the expense of those who need assistance. The Cournoyer administration is accused of violating the tribal constitution, ruling by intimidation and terminating the employment of tribal members who oppose the administration. Some of that is probably true, according to Sam Sully, tribal secretary and elected member of the Business and Claims Committee. During a telephone interview, he said some people have been fired from their jobs because they violated the tribe's Policy and Procedures Manual against politicking in the workplace. Those fired happened to be opponents of the present administration. Tribal members claim it is a violation of their civil rights, and is, at the least, a means of intimidation with the intent to stop political activity against the present administration. "The thing is I'm here, I'm not hiding anything. When people ask me questions I try to answer the best way I can. I think it's easy to accuse somebody, but proving it ... "I don't have anything to hide. I'm in the office almost every day. It's my job to talk to people," Cournoyer said. The situation on the Yankton reservation has progressed beyond the point of tense - it is becoming dangerous, tribal members on both sides agree. The internal struggle may be headed for a physical take-over or other violence, according to leaders within the membership. "It's not about politics, it's about wrong," said Ellsworth Chytka, chosen as chairman pro-tem at a recent general council meeting. He said he recently talked people out of pursuing violent solutions. A drive-by shooting allegedly occurred at the home of Judy Drapeau, sister of Sharon Drapeau, an outspoken critic of the present administration. Tribal members claim to know the perpetrators, however, the BIA police or superintendent are not giving out any information. "We have serious problems that require serious solutions. We have people who stand up for their rights and are being intimidated. Indian country needs to see this. It's a phenomenon across Indian country," Victor Provost told tribal members at the Feb. 25 general council meeting. Some tribal members at the meeting wanted bring charges and impeachment proceedings against the present tribal officials. ... <<END EXCERPT &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
