{"id":37802,"date":"2024-08-29T23:44:05","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T04:44:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/voices-of-the-elders-meet-at-the-prairie-wind-casino-to-gamble-on-justice\/"},"modified":"2024-08-29T23:44:07","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T04:44:07","slug":"voices-of-the-elders-meet-at-the-prairie-wind-casino-to-gamble-on-justice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/voices-of-the-elders-meet-at-the-prairie-wind-casino-to-gamble-on-justice\/","title":{"rendered":"Voices of the Elders meet at the Prairie Wind Casino to gamble on justice"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Panel participants at the Voices of the Elders meeting. (Photo by Mia Feroleto )<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

PINE RIDGE, S.D. \u2013 Thursday morning, August 22nd<\/sup>, 2024, fifty plus people gathered in the conference room at the Prairie Wind Casino for an all-day meeting organized by Wakan Tahoki Omniciye or Voices of the Elders Committee.\u00a0 The meeting began at 9:00 a.m. with many people arriving closer to 10:00.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Oglala Sioux Tribe President Frank Star Comes Out was unable to attend so the opening prayer was given by Darla Black, the Liaison to the President\u2019s Office.\u00a0 The Words of Encouragement were given by Voices of the Elders member Wilma Thin Elk.\u00a0 Ata Jack served as moderator of the organized panel of law enforcement officers and members of the community.<\/p>\n

Darla Black clearly stated that reform is needed, that the Lakota ancestors changed leadership when it was necessary as it is needed now to create a safer community for our children.\u00a0 This is a time for change.\u00a0 President Star Comes Out supports Voices of the Elders and their work and his staff will be attending their meetings on his behalf.\u00a0 There is tremendous concern over the violence happening on the Pine Ridge Reservation and thanks go to the Voices of the Elders Committee for doing this important work.\u00a0 A $750 gift was made by White Men for Racial Justice to help underwrite this event.<\/p>\n

Wilma Thin Elk said that there are problems out there that need to be addressed and asked that everyone work together.\u00a0 There is no room for apathy at a time when hope seems scarce.\u00a0 The recent killing of Thomas Thunder Hawk at the powwow on Pine Ridge several weeks ago, was tragic reminder of why this committee was formed.\u00a0 Wilma stressed that this may be the last chance for the Oglala Sioux Tribe to get a grip on what is going on.\u00a0 Moderator Ata Jack stated that the reservation is a microcosm of this country.\u00a0 It will take time and effort to turn this ship around to the point where residents can see a difference.\u00a0 The people are at odds with law enforcement.\u00a0 It is time to work together with respect and cooperation.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s like the Wild West out here,\u201d Jack said. \u201cThere\u2019s gunfights, shootouts, you name it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The desire of this committee is to be heard and ensure that the residents of the nine districts are heard as well.\u00a0 The Voices of the Elders want accountability.\u00a0 They feel that little is getting done which is frustrating to the residents of Pine Ridge and a danger when people face lawlessness daily within their communities.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Everyone needs to be safe.\u00a0 The abuse of drugs and alcohol on the reservation is the primary contributing factor to violence and crime.\u00a0 The younger generation of Lakota have no idea what their elders have been through.<\/p>\n

Surveys were handed out to people when they arrived and collected at the door.\u00a0 Attendees were asked to identify their major concerns which turned out to be gun violence, drugs, alcohol abuse and bootlegging.<\/p>\n

The panel consisted of representatives from the Oglala Lakota County Sheriff\u2019s Department, the Bennett County Sheriff\u2019s Department, the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety and Highway Patrol Kevin Rascher, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe Law and Order Committee Robin Tapio, Jackie Siers and Sonia Little Hawk-Weston.\u00a0 Acting chief of police for the Oglala Sioux Tribe John Pettigrew shared his views.\u00a0 Discussion circled around the fact that once a law breaker is arrested, he or she is handed over to the court system and the arresting officer has no part in the future decisions taken.<\/p>\n

Veteran Bryan Brewer, a retired educator and Tribal President from 2013 to 2014 shared that the Lakota Veterans have created a 501c3 organization and have set up a food pantry to support the community.\u00a0 He discussed the fact that virtually everyone is carrying a weapon at this time, not to break the law but to defend themselves just in case someone is coming to cause trouble.\u00a0 People are afraid to go to sleep at night.\u00a0 They are afraid to leave their house and go to work.\u00a0 Why are things so bad?\u00a0 In comparison to the surrounding border towns, located just a few miles away, the violence is far less because they don\u2019t put up with the same problems.\u00a0 We need solutions.\u00a0 Gun shots can be heard at any time, day or night, around the reservation.<\/p>\n

Marine veteran and former Pine Ridge Reservation senior law enforcement officer Wendell Yellow Bull addressed the need of the Tiospaye to be actively involved.\u00a0 He described a situation in Pine Ridge where two women chased two juveniles in a car and told them to go home.\u00a0 The kids listened to them and went home.\u00a0 The tiospaye teaches not to steal and to know the difference between right and wrong.\u00a0 With a lack of resources, the participation of the extended family is critical to a safe community.\u00a0 Without parental supervision there can be only partial success.\u00a0 Take a look at the parents of our youth.\u00a0 Much valuable information can be gathered in the process.<\/p>\n

Richard Broken Nose asked the law enforcement officers present if they they actually do the job they are assigned to do.\u00a0 He asked if bootleggers are busted.\u00a0 He went on to refer to the 1868 Treaty that states that no alcohol or other substances are allowed on the reservation.\u00a0 He believes that the legislation that allows for marijuana should be rescinded and these dispensaries should be closed.<\/p>\n

Firearms being discharged during ceremony and other events is a common occurrence on the reservation.\u00a0 One man\u2019s brother was shot walking down the street.\u00a0 The need for transparency is great along with the need to communicate with community members working together to eliminate people on meth in the house next door.\u00a0 Violators need to be ejected from the reservation.\u00a0 Too many Lakota children are harmed by bootlegged substances that are extremely dangerous and often deadly.<\/p>\n

The creation of a violent offenders list was discussed as one way to identify who the troublemakers are within each of the nine districts.\u00a0 Can they be identified and can that information be put to good use?\u00a0 People were encouraged to make a stand and never apologize for speaking out.\u00a0 People need more than a slap on the wrist for their crimes, they need real punishment along with a treatment program that actually works.<\/p>\n

Wilma Thin Elk thanked the attendees and panel for coming.\u00a0 The Voices of the Elders Committee was glad to see everyone there and is grateful for the attention given to the concerns and suggestions of the people of the Pine Ridge Reservation.<\/p>\n

The next meeting of the Voices of the Elders will be held on Saturday, September 14th<\/sup> at Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation.<\/p>\n

For additional information, please contact Voices of the Elders at WTOmniciye@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(Contact Mia Feroleto at mia.feroleto@gmail.com<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The post Voices of the Elders meet at the Prairie Wind Casino to gamble on justice<\/a> first appeared on Native Sun News Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Panel participants at the Voices of the Elders meeting. (Photo by Mia Feroleto ) PINE RIDGE, S.D. \u2013 Thursday morning, August 22nd, 2024, fifty plus people gathered in the conference room at the Prairie Wind Casino for an all-day meeting organized by Wakan Tahoki Omniciye or Voices of the Elders <\/p>\n

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Shared by Native Sun News Today<\/a> August 29, 2024<\/p>\n

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