And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
From the Offices of: AMERICAN INDIAN MOVMENT
NATIONAL FIELD OFFICE
E-mail Address: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dear Friends,
Nowa Cumig AKA Dennis Banks and myself have just returned from the Walk for Justice in
Rapid City, SD. The walk and subsequent meetings and events were extremely successful.
This success would not have been possible without your prayers, support and messages
of good wishes, which continue to strengthen us and all of Indian country. Pilamaya
The walk organized at Roosevelt Park in Rapid City about 10 am. with speeches by Nowa
Cumig and several others. There was a heavy media and police presence. The marched
began about 11am and moved from the park to the federal building in Rapid.
At the federal building speeches regarding the deaths in Rapid, White Clay, Mobridge
as well as other places were addressed. Nowa Cumig was the main speaker and was very
motivating as usual. The walk continued on to the Pennington County Courthouse where
more speeches were delivered. Many people drove by and honked or waved their support.
The march then continued on to the Rapid City Police Station but stopped on the way to
sing & drum traditional songs outside the jail for the benefit of the prisoners
inside. At the Police station more speeches and statements were made. Afterwards the
march returned to Roosevelt Park and we regrouped at the Oyate Center in Lakota
Village in the northern section of Rapid City.
During the march the Rapid City Police were respectful and accommodating, and in my
view were not intimidating at all. ( No I'm not on drugs ).
At the Oyate Center there were several representatives of area law enforcement who
agreed to discuss with us the issues surrounding the Rapid Creek murders. Included
were the Pennington County Sheriff, two investigators from the Rapid City Police
Department and a Deputy Sheriff (who had been working in plain clothes throughout the
march). Nowa Cumig, Mark White Bull (Mobridge) and myself convened with these people
in a private office for discussions. As promised, a representative of U.S. Senator Tom
Daschle's office, joined the discussion via phone hook up. The law enforcement
officers were very forthcoming with information regarding their efforts in solving the
Rapid Creek murders and efforts in preventing additional assaults on Indian people.
Much of the information provided to us is confidential and could compromise ongoing
investigations if listed here so I won't.
Quite frankly, the investigation into these deaths is far more involved then we had
previously believed. ( one of the investigators is an enrolled member of the Oglala
Lakota Nation). Senator Daschle's office was also extremely helpful and well-informed
(as he should be) of the issues surrounding the deaths of Indians in SD. Mark White
Bull stressed the issue of the murderers of Boo Many Horses in Mobridge being charged
with manslaughter instead of murder. After the private meeting Nowa Cumig stated to
the law enforcement officials that he believed they were putting forth their best
efforts to solve the Rapid Creek murders but since the murderer(s) are still at large
more needs to be done and a coalition between the Indian community and law enforcement
must be established to secure the welfare of Indian people. They agreed. We are now
in the process of establishing "citizen patrols" of the area's where the murders took
place, working in conjunction with law enforcement and !
!
esta
blishing credible liaisons between us and them. Following the meeting the officers met
with the Indian community gathered at the Oyate Center and enjoyed frybread and soup
with us. A few of the people vented their anger and frustration with the police in
general but overall the community meeting was positive.
Afterwards, Nowa Cumig and myself met with the Head of the FBI for South Dakota. He
gave us a run down of the investigation into the Killings at White Clay (Pine Ridge).
Although he was not as forthcoming as local law enforcement he did enlighten us to
their efforts in bringing the murderer(s) to justice. He said a large contingent of
investigators was assigned to this case, more than he has seen in seven years on a
single investigation.
I'm sure that after reading this there are those who may feel that we have been
deceived by the police or fallen victim to a conspiracy of lies. We believe those
officials we spoke with were honest and truthful, after all, they did not have to be
there nor share this information with us. On the other hand, this report is not to be
interpreted as meaning we have complete trust in any law enforcement agency or
individual. We will never let down our guard. The investigation to find the killer(s)
responsible for the Rapid Creek murders is ongoing and intensified as a result of all
of our actions and prayers. I truly believe we have moved closer to apprehending the
killer(s) and have scored a victory for Indian people. Aho !
IN THE SPIRIT OF CRAZY HORSE,
Matt Sherman Madage Moniga
Asst. to Nowa Cumig aka
Dennis Banks
National Field Director,
AIM
P O BOX 06167 Columbus, Oh 43206
PLEASE POST AND DISTRIBUTE
