Perhaps the most publicized tribal election on any reservation took place February 7th on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation in South Dakota a record voter turnout of almost 3300 of the 4600 registered oglalas Eclipse, even the record primary turnout two weeks earlier the primary it scene 13 candidates in the race for tribal chairman. That number was reduced to two for the February 7th runoff thirty-nine-year-old incumbent Richard Wilson and 34 year old Russell Means, the American Indian movement Challenger who out pulled Wilson in the primary.Wilson campaign in the reservation voting districts in the newspapers and over television means on trial 600 miles away in St. Paul on charges stemming from the 73 takeover of Wounded Knee appeared on the reservation only on weekends or during other trial recesses. It was an election in which the very elect of process was an issue since Congressional passage of the Indian reorganization Act of 1934, Oklahoma Subud govern themselves through a parliamentary system of representation comprised of a 20-man tribal council and at its head the office of tribal chairman or president at the Indian reorganization Act had a history of controversy in the 40 years since its Inception there have been 20 separate administration's no tribal chairman has ever succeeded himself. It was a spoil system in which every two years. It seems that only the names of those in control would change.Means favored the evolution of the Indian reorganization Act in a gradual return to government by to spuds the Lakota designation for the kinship bands of traditional Chiefs who govern the oglalas through the treaty Council prior to 1934. The treaty Council was derived from the 1868 Fort Laramie treaty the treaty which aim has contended form the basis of the Wounded Knee seizure. Wilson campaigned on the allegation that a vote for means was a vote for termination of all federal assistance to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation Wilson's campaign literature charged of means were elected Oglala would cease to receive any Bureau of Indian Affairs funds. This would result. He said in a termination of healthcare land tax allowances ADC checks free education and all other welfare assistance to the indigent. Of course the issue with your polarized the reservation long before any argument over termination was the very occupation of Wounded Knee voters were split according to loyalties, which that crisis had surfaced almost one full year before Wilson and his supporters of charge that Wounded Knee was taken over by a band of quote outside agitators in criminal Renegades on quote who had no backing within the tribe means hope that a victory or at least a good showing in the election would prove that the reservation discontent was homegrown. The night of February 6th on the eve of the election means was back in his hometown of porcupine about 35 miles from Wilson's residence in the tribal Village headquarters of Pine Ridge means a. A last-minute campaign rally in the porcupine Community Hall with him was his aim colleague and co-defendant in the same Paul trials Dennis Banks a Chippewa from the Leech Lake reservation in northern Minnesota mean spoke first responding to the issue of termination and then defending his controversial platform pledge to enforce the liquor prohibition laws, which exists now without much enforcement on the reservation rumors today. the fact that I want termination and they're right. I do want termination. termination of termination of white people termination of theft from Indian people termination of poor housing termination termination of no Law and Order I want Law and Order. Termination of all the evil things that have been infected us and caused us. pause. You're sometimes. Go down to our knees. I sincerely believe the Ogallala have a mission and that it is time that the Ogallala once again stand up and lead the world like we did before. I'm talking in the spirit of Red Cloud and Crazy Horse and the other fine leaders that the Oglala are famous for. But I wouldn't also at the same time that if I'm elected I will issue a challenge to the Oglala. Is that one man? Can I change things are solved? Half the problems that are there on the reservation. What is my idea to form a cabinet that will be paid from outside phone. Once again, it will not cost the Oglala Sioux Tribe a penny. A cabinet that will be concerned. with help a person that can serve as help a person that's concerned with education everyone in Ogallala. everyone in Oglala Now I understand. There's also been Rumours out and I'll tell you I told Dennis Banks today. I don't care if he marries and I don't care if he's adopted by. at any rate one on business a position in the cabinet on business now I've gotten from a few people. Who said they will work? As hard or harder than myself for the Oglala and some of them but one of them surpassed travel president. Don't be working. With me. Hopefully we going to get a lawyer as you know Sundancer. Is willing to come back home and work as attorney general for the Oglala people to improve our court system or Law and Order. And also work it happened at reissue. We hope to get other. A certified public accountant who is also an Oglala Francis Lane killer. We hope he will come back to take care of the financial messed. We are in these these peoples will be paid again. As I said was outside money we need so at the same time you have to understand what has been happening one man, when he gets into that office is forced only you think of tribal problem and not people problems and that is what's been wrong with this reservation. It is a very known fact that first you think of the people because they make up the tribe. We've been working in reverse all this time. You're the one who has taught us to think backwards. I do act backwards. I know a lot of people say that I hate white people. But let me tell you this. All my life until I joined the American Indian movement. I never had a white friend. Now I have done a white Friends by Bishop some of my ministers and Priests some of my lawyer. Someone my congressman and senators. Some of them are oppressed people. all kinds of white friends I now have I do not hate white people. But I hate the way they think. And they act the majority of them. Because I believe in the traditional vision of respect. respect for your brother's vision and how can you have respect for your brother's vision? When you continually being hammered into the ground. I do know that the Indian land owners. They're not going to lose their land, but I have known that. That they are now being taxed. NFC West some of the money is taken away from the Indian land owners to finance and it's all the other types of taxes. I just found this out. I was flabbergasted, you know, my name has been taken out for unit. I don't get any money anyway. but any language or text in the one she choose are not taxed on this reservation. What color flip-flops are going to do? You know how much tax they put into the truck. I don't want you choose. I just found out from Washington DC the white ranchers that justly Candyland not their only just a big gross $12 last year. Bomberman and we're going to the only one paying taxes. something wrong also the white Traders Don't have to start living up to The Lodge at they've been breaking. all these years They're also going to be taxed in a cyst. as a nation as the Oglala Nation We have this treaty, right and a sovereign right? We have to understand what a treaty is. What it means to the worksheet driving the white man? He's the one that made the laws. The treaty our treaty is on par and equal to equal to the Constitution of the United States of America. It is just as powerful as a constitution. And that when it when the white man breaks the treaty he breaks his own Constitution. Can you see if there's tryout if we lose our treaty rights? We lose all rights. We don't even have constitutional rights. Worse than slavery. Reno Zoo it is my belief. That's the responsibility of the Unborn responsibility to our Unborn I've been asked to clarify the liquor. issue that I have been talking about you see again and watching investigated in Washington, DC. Every crime that has been committed on this reservation. every crime Is alcohol related? If we can stand the flow of alcohol to a trickle or until it's nothing then we can stop the crime up to 80% of the crime or more. Also the car wrecks nine out of every 10 deaths on the Pine Ridge reservation is due to alcohol if you know that. Every time in Oklahoma is sent to prison. In the last 15 years is because of alcohol. We have a responsibility not only to our unborn part or children. and we have to act like oglalas because I do know that we are the most beautiful people in the Western Hemisphere and we should night and tomorrow morning. It's very important. I probably more important than the trial itself. And I certainly hope that tomorrow I will begin the end of the Tyranny here on this reservation. I hope that's what it means Russell men's is finally elected tomorrow. Elected by we predict a 67% vote. We know that it will end the violence that is found here on this reservation. And become a threat to other reservations across this country. A threat to those non-indians on those other reservations for abusing their power. What tomorrow will end? the corruption that is found in the administration of consoles that not only on the Oglala Sioux reservation, but that the wind tomorrow will and the Bia domination on all reservation. This has to come about. And I'm proud that I've played at least a small parts. A small part in answering a call to a very great nation. You're well as soon a Sheehan but that the Oglala Sioux themselves are the real Victor's they are the real heroes of this story. And Victorious tomorrow also. Spelling out a clear message. A clear message not only today. violin administrator that we have now and the Oglala Sioux violence that is administered in Washington DC not only on this reservation, but on the Leech Lake reservation reservation. A clear message pointing out that Indian people are sick and tired of the Bia for sick and tired of the oppression. Let's tomorrow be a clear example. When your people all across this country not only across the country but across this world. That we're not tolerating any of it anymore. like it the next morning in the Oglala tribal office in Pine Ridge current chairman Richard Wilson responded to questions. You said that if Means War to win and become tribal chairman of Pine Ridge, this would mean jurisdiction by the state of South Dakota rather than the federal government. What does that mean means is advocating doing away with the Constitution and bylaws as established by Congress in 1934. And when that happens the state of South Dakota, then we'll take over. the whole lotta Sioux reservation There's no Provisions in NY any federal law to allow a tribe to live in their own private domain. So to speak without any jurisdiction from the federal government, where would the resources then come to support the reservation? They would be none if they done away with the Bia services in the government trust responsibility. The resources then would have to come from the state of South Dakota. What exactly then does termination mean for Indian people? It means they wouldn't have no reservation. It wouldn't enjoy the tax-free status that they do. How many services would this affect every service that Indian people get? On Pine Ridge. I mean, what does that mean in particular? Holiday, they enjoy the trust responsibility of the government has on their land. It's not taxed state of South Dakota with taxes and people that couldn't pay that tax would eventually lose. How does means then intend to support the people if he is elected tribal chairman? Well, apparently he's got a few herds of Buffalo somewhere that we don't know about because that would be the only way what about the I seen something some of the campaign literature. What about the the outside sources that he speaks about some other countries that are interested in supporting the reservation. That's probably the most ridiculous thing that there is that makes relationship with Sweden and Japan and All of these places in Japan with almonds reservation in eating from the Union. I think it's impossible under the federal or the United States Constitution and bylaws. It's impossible to do that. He's talking through his hat. He's off in the head. It can't be done. This is the United States. He might be able to do it in Russia. But not air. Would you look for a greater presence of the American Indian movement on the reservation if you were elected if he were elected, yes tow cars from all over with move in here and take over. The chippewas would be running this place. What do you say when you don't have a very large Oglala Sioux Falls? He got the maximum amount of support in the primary election. I don't think he's going to get too many more votes than that. That's a very small percentage of 12000 people. How large is the electrode here there's about 4,100 eligible voters. I look for around 3,000 to vote today. Would that be the largest number who voted in tribal election? Yes removing largest ever. This is probably the most interesting or most Sensational election that come to Pine Ridge. Yes, it is. Oglala Sioux Nation is at stake right now. You might say not only that I think ending Square Across the Nation are at stake to right now. If you were to win, you would become the first tribal chairman in history to succeed yourself would you know, that's right. That is there's been some sexy there self but there's never been one here in pineridge administration since 1934 when the electoral system was set up doesn't that make for tremendous instability politically on the reservation? Yeah, it does. When I win tonight, so I intend to stabilize it. Would you rather lengthen the term of office for German then that would be up to the voters. It would have to be put on a referendum vote in if they chose to give the chairman the four-year terms and it has to be done by referendum vote. What are the things that's confusing is the fact that 18 year olds don't vote on the reservation. Yes. That's the one of the requirements in our Constitution and bylaws is that they must be 21 and that has to be changed by a referendum vote to Amendment guaranteeing 18 year olds right to vote automatically apply to the reservation not when it's included in your Constitution and bylaws your travel Constitution. Bylaws says supersede the constitution in this respect until such time as we change it though. Remains 21 years old. If you do take a second term, what are the major changes you intend to make your own Pine Ridge? loaded question Well, that's probably one of them. There's any changes that we're going to have to make in our Constitution and bylaws. It's so completely outdated. It's adopted in 1934 and this is 1974 40 years old and it's got to be updated. I think the whole thing does particularly the the land leasing policies and what not. What you mean by that? Well as it stands now, the Bureau of Indian Affairs is telling us what twin who and why and how much did we start land for and I think we had got to have something in our constitution bylaws that flowers b-tribe or individual to do that. The tribe is the largest land rover on this reservation. We should have something to say about our land. In the primary election day in the real districts, I believe you play second and then you were an overwhelming winner here in the village of Pine Ridge. Do you look for a repetition of that pattern that is that you would take the village of Pine Ridge and then lose in the world districts know I don't look for that to happen. I Look to win in the rural districts and alter in Pine Ridge. What kind of a vote spread you look for? Albany by 500 later election morning Wilson arrived at the Pine Ridge voting Hall to cast his own ballot. He was angered at the presence of news cameras and Recorders at 50 feet away from there. I think this is our right here. you by illenium Once outside the polls Wilson consented to speak with newsmen. I think I'm going to meet him to 21. I feel very confident. What time do you think the results will be 10:30 11:00 tonight. It will have a good idea of the trim that it's taking them any trouble around the overall a victory by you today would have on the American Indian movement. Well, I think the organization would just fade out of the picture then. They're just a bunch of atoms. Not just on Pine Ridge, but totally totally all over. Wilson was quoted in the Rapid City Journal to the effect that if he were re-elected, he would give the American Indian movement 10 days to get off the reservation or else quote on quote after Russell Means came out of the voting Hall in porcupine election morning. I asked him about Wilson's remarks and I can dignify anything Wilson says by a response as my home is where I was born. This is where I live. The only ones I can run me off the reservation. people with guns and it couldn't do that. So I doubt very seriously if I'll ever leave this reservation under any threat from anyone a lot of people don't understand the charges with respect to termination. Wilson is saying that stable have jurisdiction over this reservation if you're elected, how do you respond to that? I have offered my life for the Oglala people. I will continue to do so and in no way shape or form is the state or the federal government ever going to have complete control of this reservation. As long as I am alive when I'm just what I'm saying. Is that sovereignty is the issue and not termination, but our sovereignty as a nation independent. This another words will not mean the termination of Bureau of Indian Affairs services on the reservation. Hopefully, we can work towards that end through Contracting the negotiations with the White House through legislation on Capitol Hill with support from foreign Nations. And especially the United Nations. It's going to be a long hard pull but this is the aim of my candidacy of my presidency. If I am elected is that we will look forward to the the day when we can enter as a nation into the International Community during election day voting February 7th attorneys from the US justice department. We're carrying on an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the shotgun killing of Pedro bissonnette. Bissonnet one of the seven occupation leaders at Wounded Knee was killed by bia policeman Joe Clifford last October against the wishes of the Bissonnet family. The dead man's body was taken out of state for an autopsy ordered by the government attorneys are hopeful that a South Dakota Grand Jury will bring a murder indictment against that policeman when it goes into session, February 19th. Some of bissonnette's relatives were contacted at the Pine Ridge voting Hall February 7th, their skepticism about the government's intention to fully investigate the killing provided one of the many examples of the tense atmosphere on the reservation surrounding the election. Taken for going down until recently. Why don't you see us then? Cuz I didn't know you were old Joe Clifford still running. The polls closed at 7 p.m. The process of hand counting the long paper ballots was tedious, but they nearly midnight the outcome was already clear Richard Wilson and carry the village of Pine Ridge and it pulled in overall 1700 votes means one in the world districts, but received only about fifteen hundred volts and all a Victory celebration was in progress at the tribal office in Pine Ridge just before appearing outside to address his followers Wilson met inside with newsmen and supporters to deliver a prepared statement. This has been a historic occasion. We have been under the scrutiny of the world. The issues came down to whether the Oglala Sioux serving as a weather vane for the world would endorse government by violence threat and destruction or whether we would pursue progress through the imperfect system of democracy. We have allowed the people to speak through The Ballot Box. Our work will continue in accordance with the established law of the land. There are many things we must do to improve our system, but we will work through the system. I have no further comments on the details of our specific actions for the immediate future, but you can be assured that the near future will see new initiatives by the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Which will Forge a new Destiny for American Indians both on the Pine Ridge reservation and all other Indian reservations. Thank you. Do you plan to reinstitute your ban on the American Indian movement? I'd rather not comment on that right now. You feel any different about Russell Means after having defeated him to a fist fight now? something the other day I was talk that was political talk. by the way work What is your view of the American Indian movement roll now on a reservation zero? We don't have to make questions with questions of slanted the other way. There was a key to Victory, but why is it that my campaign people put in for me? Your hair doctor Jim Wilson telling me what to say here is the man. the Richards Cornelius spend many of them hard work a lot of hours put into this. I think one of the thing is that weed. We told it like it was we didn't get out from Light or people tell them they're going to get their black hills back and all of Nebraska and all of Montana and stuff like that. What game did? Angel kept you going for an hour with me? A lot of people that I'm anxious to get to this party. I know there's some Boozer wait until the news video call Gathering. They should be in around midnight now. celebrate the tribal holiday tomorrow with pay What happens if you still have been a party? I'll be in condition that I will not be able to give any statements tomorrow. I think we're about to get me or the polarity here on the reservation still be no more wounded knees for the next two years. That's all I'll say. Thank you. Mr. President. Thank you. How do you feel about the election night? It will be nothing but a bunch of lazy buns. I don't want to work. We all work for a living everybody that standing here. I work for everything we have and they want to come and take everything away and destroy everything in. Okay, if I can have your attention for a few moments? Okay, everything's all of you goons for really doing your thing. Tomorrow is a tribal holiday with pay. And tonight the party's at the moxon factory will all go up there. Everybody bring your jug. Will do something about that be cool tonight though. Everybody be cool tonight. We'll get right on that but I don't think it's a good long, okay. Russell Means waited in porcupine until about 3 a.m. The next morning before commenting to news men on the election outcome once again, Irregularities and illegal acts have been reported on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation and more specifically in regards to the election. process here on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation I'd like to point out just a few. Where a judge appointed by the tribal election board took unmarked ballots out to homes in the Kyle District. And had them marked out there and brought him back and put them in The Ballot Box. Also that tote Richards a bodyguard for mr. Wilson. Counted votes and took out ballots from The Ballot Box in Martin South Dakota before the polling place was closed. also that in one bleed illegal votes were cast by right ranchers and white women. Anon enrollees on the Pine Ridge II. We have to mr. Wilson when other example is in Potato Creek where there are approximately 30 to 40 eligible voters over 80 voted in this general election. There are many many other irregularities that we will be reported and we hope that the federal court. under Andrew Berg will step in for a recount We are and I am going to demand a recount of the election process and the registration votes in the affidavit signed by people enabling them to vote and also a recounting of the ballots cuz I feel and honest election did not take place even after we went to senator abourezk. The Justice Department Civil Rights division Indian civil rights Division and the justice department community relations service asking and I personally spoken send a telegram to the commissioner of Indian Affairs and the department of interior to ensure. Some kind of fair and impartial election year on the Pine Ridge and they all refused. Once again, the door was slammed in our face by the federal government. And naturally the result has been on the reservation tonight during the election three people have been shot in Pine Ridge South Dakota a little boy young girl and a young man shot. in Pine Ridge tonight also shootings took place and it's not be verified by the police reports and less they have falsified him again to be a police there been shootings of homes and Wounded Knee and in manderson South Dakota terrorist activities of the Goon Squad continues unabated and of course No response from the federal government. Once again, we are hoping that the federal judge will see fit. To enable us for a fair and honest recount of the election results that have been turned in tonight. Call Aaron actually be status quo for our experience and for the the real Indians experience throughout America and more specifically the horrendous activities that have been happening here on Pine Ridge to the people in The Districts. I do want to say that. Those people that did vote for me. I thank them very sincerely. And that I would ask them to continue to pressure their councilman for fair representation in Pine Ridge Village when the new Council takes place so that some kind of just as maybe just a one degree Improvement could take place for the the total people on my reservation? if there is a wounded knee in 74 I would be greatly saddened. I I do not believe that Indians should fight Indians. And that's what what do it federal government would would have us do. If there is violence in South Dakota again. I would be completely against another Wounded Knee. Because Wounded Knee 73 isn't over with yet. We're still in the courts on our treaty rights and we will win there. 2 days after the election mrs. Celia Martin talked about the atmosphere at the tribal offices in Pine Ridge where vote tallies were posted election night and I'll see about 10:30. I came through I was walking I park my car on the side and I was walking and I trying to go I went over there to find out who was the head and then when I went in there, there is no by no Susan there but me and then I went into the other room where they had all the names and I I asked him who was the head just spend that tow trucks come along. So I asked him and he told me to get up. They call him tote but he's he's the one that told me to get up. So I told him you do for a living. He's a place I guess there but they at the time when I went in there, he didn't have no uniform on he was standing there talking so I went in there and he told me to get up there is no Susan there but nothing but to have everything there and they were moving around in there and just all by myself there and then he told me to get up so I came outside he pushed me out and then I was standing there and then I went on to see my aunt Agnes Lamont, but she's not home. So I came through there and that's where I made all these they were standing outside and they had to pick up a cream-colored pick up in the the box and was opened. It had all kinds of beer in there and they were drinking there and the police went by they didn't even stop or anything. He went on. And so I came on and they said I am here comes Mama aim. And that you said f word but I didn't say nothing. I came on and then they're trying to gain me so I stopped and I said go ahead and hit me but I'll hit me one by one they call me down. They call me down and they said someone said knock her down. Like you're dumb. They didn't I went back to my car. And another guy was standing there. He's assumed I can go near that place cuz they're going to hit me. And you know what that's supposed to be in Indian office. Now, we can go near that place when we go near that place. They threaten us we can do nothing. What are we going to do from now on? Are we going to stay here and suffer for Dick Wilson? Sure, we're as it is we're suffering for him. Wherever we go. They had gunpoint wherever we go. There's done we can we can do nothing. We we have to do something for this man. And if he's going to stay in Ur, we might as well kill us all if that's what you wanted this morning Saturday, February 9th with the Bureau of Indian Affairs policeman. I wanted me to see my aunt and my nephew just as I came out a police car a green one. It had an area one stop at the Ross's place and he had a machine gun and put it in their car and they headed for East. And so I knew then what's going to happen again, they going to road block and that's why they heading for East or they're going to roadblock wanted me. That's what I heard, but I'm not too sure but that's what they going to do because they already threatened us Indian people and that's what they're trying to do now. So they're probably at Wounded Knee but I'm heading for out that way. Anyway, why do they want to roadblock Wounded Knee? Because they they don't want the Indian people. They don't want the aim to come in to Pine Ridge and that's why did Jake Wilson don't want the same and he said like there's two in the newspaper this morning. I brought a paper this morning and he's he's it says on there if I'm elected as a tribal chairman. In 10 days all the Indian and the American Indian people are moved out out of reservation. We Indian people went got no voice. We even can go no place to near that travel office and then they threaten us. What are we going to do from now on? Do you think that Wilson will do something to the people who voted for Russell Means them already because not him stop but that his goons and he's goons are fighting right now against the Sioux people are boys eyebrows got got that they've got rice to live in this reservation to it. But he thinks we ain't got nothing to do in this reservation. He thinks he owns his whole reservation and us people poor people and if we have to suffer for him to really think that you would have to move now that Richard Wilson is President. I don't have to stay here and I'll fight for my rights if I had rides show him. I'm a woman on all by myself. I ain't got no husband, but my boys and my boys were in service and when my boy came back from Vietnam where he wasn't even discharged they beat him. On the road and they took him to VA Hospital to 15 minutes, but I forgot some of them but those are his beat up my son and I sign a complaint and my complaint is gone. I don't know where it's at. I went over there and there's no complaint for me. Police lost a complaint I guess so, I don't know who lost it but they said I ain't got no complain there. Is any trouble come to your house here in Pine Ridge and somebody broke my window so it isn't fixed because I'm a name. They said I was with the aim sure. I'm an Indian and I'm for Russell means I don't care what I'm for him and my brother my younger brother was in wanted me through and I don't know if they took him here and there but he still alive and I'm pretty sure the rest of them are still alive. And I'm so glad that they come out of there alive before that wherever we go. They had gunpoint at us. And that's a sickening wherever I go. I see gun now, I'm not scared of gun. And they pointed me I'm not scared. But before that I had chills, but now I'm not that way. Clifford and Nelly black horse manager husky gasoline station across from the Bureau of Indian Affairs building in the village of Pine Ridge Clifford black horse did not vote in the election maintaining at the runoff choices and put him in quote a state of depression unquote misses black horse did vote both however were interested in the outcome of the election. I think it would have made it. a kind of a change for the Indian people to realize what What meaning Russell wanted to do that, you know like trying to get? He doesn't want the Bia out. He's just once the treaty back is always what he want. And to me I think if you got the 1868 treaty, I think other people would realize that for the last twenty or what is it 40 years what they were missing. I'm not enough help. That's what I think he would have kind of you know, what he wouldn't have brought it back in 2 years, but he would have had the people. Do you understand what they were missing for the many years. What would be the advantages of the 1868 treaty? What are people missing under the tribal government system now the younger generation there's nothing for him to look forward to like I did when I was a kid. I look forward to for the to benefit can a credit share see there is was a promise that was given to me and a promise was fulfilled when I got to be 18 years old. This is a promise. Well, if it wasn't the land promised it was a promise at least to get me started on a business maybe in the future. You don't like after I grew up and got married. And I bought me a house with it and then I brought me a couple of cows and chickens. And at the time I was to you in person when he's 18 years old, he's not fully matured anyway, but it still it was a promise. To like if if they had that law of that. Government in damn that now it like it was my days. I take my children and anybody else's children would had something to look forward to your children don't have the security Now that you felt when you were a child know they don't have the security like I had to hell. Are we have the security they have now is what I could provide for him. putting in in my days what I had to send benefit to look forward to when I got 18 years old when I might say when I got out of my own, you know in your day. Was there a feeling of a tribe like a family that would take care of each other? black girl for neighbor He couldn't get anywhere wife. The neighbor had a car or wagon or something. He was glad to take them anywhere in the hospital hurt. Like when I get sick when I was a kid? Well, these people that I lived by Indian people Neighbors when I got sick while they carried me all the way up to the hospital and they and they waited for me, LOL. I've got training They Carried me all the way back to long ago. That's just 20 30 years ago. Like to have dances and we had to call the white clay damn over here. They had a bench and play lonely Creek and they had a gymnasium here. They took up boxing and Basketball or anything? They wanted to do that with everything going on in them days. I don't like it's just like a Harmony together, you know. and everybody was glad to see somebody on the street. but since the New Deal come in will that slowly demolish to know what most of them on Power Inn, and and it totally knocked that away. Is that change more because the 1868 treaty is gone or is it because times have changed? Anyway, I could be that I think it moved Roosevelt's New Deal or the Indian reorganization. Act was Susan Indian organization act that deal. I don't know who put it up about two young them days. But over the years that I like now when I think back I could see them the changes that was made. The South governing themselves, you might say the photo Tribal Council. Maybe it is a good deal for somebody that's really needs it. But I think the full blood don't need that anymore. I think they need the old deal back. You don't like the kid would look cute. Look ahead for the soup benefits and Democratic Sharon and you don't like the money money that was promised to me. I take that's that should come back courts it now and he lives on a dream. 4 Century Park East prom the government promised him so much and it will not days. It's just a dream like when I was a kid got it bought my dream was fulfilled because I I was told my grandparents I was told that when you got 18 what? Can I get to benefit and Patty sure what would have happened in this election if the 18 year olds were allowed to vote? Why do you say that? The younger generation have at 18 in Indian is fully lived his life. He has been raised bride by going over to the Bootleggers at 14 years of age 12 years of age and getting the next door neighbors always a bootlegger on every block. He can go over there. He can get liquor at 14 12 years old will sell it to him. Then he grows up. He lives fast young and fast as he grows up when he's 16 and 18 years of age. He becomes an adult he knows the situation and he knows he's fully lived. He's ready to die. He has nothing further to snow promised to look forward to now we're promised this we've never heard of the American Indian movement. Tell of Justice was people were crying for justice Emma crying for help. The white people and though it be I hear it would listen to their cries. So then we reached out for another power and which happened to be available to help. and then I don't know where they lost their foothold but somewhere along the way I guess say misinterpreted it have been slandered propaganda against and therefore cost Wounded Knee. At Wounded Knee would have never occurred if all men were men were man enough. To go in negotiate if they have negotiated with the a male leaders, there wouldn't have been the one that me it wouldn't have to be necessary. Just talked most of the people in the Oglala Sioux civil rights organization where women were thing? It isn't because we we hold we up. We hold up to a Leader's. It's just that we finally found someone. Like we cry in the dark and pleading for someone to listen to my problems and Indian women are the strongest they're much stronger than the the man. You see well after the wars and after men went to the Army and women begin to live alone lot of widows. A lot of Indian man went to the war widows and then the widows and there was less Indian men. So the women began to get power and now that they have power day. They are reach out and try to take leadership among their men. Is it mostly women who opposed Richard Wilson to be in there for the next two years? It's going to bring a lot of hardship, which I see. I see that many people off the reservation don't believe that there's such a thing as the Goon Squad. Some children that claim to be goon. If their parents seem to be going and then they caught my daughter out in Rushville, Nebraska 25 miles from here and beat her face in so I couldn't recognize her. They kicked her in the stomach and severely injured her. And she has been ill ever since she had to run away to Sacramento, California because there was constant threats that they would kill me and my kids my husband. And would kill all my boys and the boys of the children that were in there had said that this was a message from Dick Wilson think the American Indian movement will survive on the reservation in the next 2 years. Shooting two years. I think a file if they could probably FEMA meaning song You Know campaign if if there was a campaign like a literature could come to people's homes like through the news media if Russell Means and that the angel leaders could die. Explain what a meme is what really stands for and what it could bring promise I could bring her. How what they have to offer so you think one of the problems has been simply that they haven't communicated their objectives. Well enough fully acknowledge went to the people what they really stand for. And now they will now the children that are growing up bitching came as power. a source of power it isn't its if the source of understanding a source of Miss Injustice 2 done to the Indians Because always got to look for on this reservation for the next 20-30 years without a changes poverty sickness DD's everything bad. There's no future unless we leave they never explain who is the a mental like I explained to my children as long as you have Indian blood in you. I know you're part of the American Indian movement. There's no two parts about it. It's if you don't end in your urine a and you know, like like these leaders should tell what American Indian movement is for his for the endings. not just know like Like you and me like it's for me not for you, even though you're in ended. Well, you know, like these leaders never did explain what the American Indian movement for. It was for everyone because we were born Ames you might say all these speeches that I've heard for the last past 3 years on the Indian movement. I have never heard any of this and an American Indian movement leaders say while this belongs to the end in i, don't care who you are. How your your child in your baby? That's just been born and but she never explained that so like this is Young Generation don't understand that you think it's a party system, you know you cuz your name or you know, even though that's what this town is like if you have a busted window. But they never tell what it's all about that. I like I tell my children as long as we're we're endings. We got it our blood flows full of Indian while we're part of the American movement and I'll be a name if you're a white man or an igloo large town all or Mexican. That's what I tell my children. The week after the tribal election federal judge Andrew Bogut of South Dakota granted Russell Means is request to bring a temporary restraining order against the certification of the February 7th outcome Federal Marshals, then impounded the tribal ballot boxes and took them off the reservation pending an investigation of alleged voting irregularities. Weather in new general election will be called is it best speculative? But if it is in the outcome proves different it is still doubtful. Then that the reservation divisiveness would soon subside the atmosphere on Pine Ridge contains the tension of a time-bomb the shooting War which was wounded knee in 1973 came this month and a more peaceful form to the ballot boxes nearly one year later. But now with the Collision Course of the two factions represented by the 52% to 48% voting split. He's not diverted and diverted soon that time bomb will go off. Many oglalas feel the explosion may be set for February 27th of this month. That's the date of the first anniversary of the Wounded Knee occupation. The American Indian movement is called for a memorial service the 27th of February in Wounded Knee to commemorate the Indian slain there by the government last spring and in the original 1890 Massacre tribal chairman, Richard Wilson has vowed to keep the American Indian movement out of Wounded Knee. Amore classic formula for confrontation could hardly exist This is Kevin McKiernan.