RED CLOUD TRIBAL BUILDING, PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION, SOUTH DAKOTA:

On January 20, 2000, the Grass Roots Oyate appeared before the Oglala Sioux Tribal Head Judge Patrick Lee in a hearing for court order to remove the Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer as the signatory at the First National Bank of Gordon, Nebraska. At approximately 3:30 p.m., the ruling was made in favor of the plaintiffs, the Grass Roots Oyate.

The Grass Roots Oyate is comprised of large number of Oglala Lakota Sioux that took peaceful control of the Red Cloud Tribal Building on January 16, 2000 for the sole purpose of protecting financial records that incriminate the Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs and Oglala Sioux Tribal Council Members.

The Grass Roots Oyate are demanding the immediate removal of the Tribal Treasurer for years of gross misconduct and mismanagement of tribal funds allocated to the members of this great nation. Furthermore, they are seeking the suspension of the entire Oglala Sioux Tribal Council pending a referendum vote of the entire nation. We, the Grass Roots Oyate have witnessed many improprieties of Tribal Council Members. They have repeatedly violated their oath of office and their IRA Tribal Constitution.

Today, the Grass Roots Oyate will be submitting resolutions to the Secretary of the Interior demanding the following: 1. The suspension of the Tribal Council pending a referendum vote; 2. Request to have the Bureau of Indian Affairs assume temporary administrative authority to maintain critical financial services such as medical assistance, funeral services, and payroll.

Additionally, the group is submitting a request to the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs step in and takeover the investigation into the widespread corruption within the Oglala Sioux Tribal government.

Due to reports received early this morning, the Grass Roots Oyate have barricaded themselves in the Tribal Building in an effort to protect the women and small children and elderly men and women inside. The group took control of the building in a peaceful manner and have a sacred c'anupa (pipe) inside the building. It is not the intent of the Grass Roots Oyate to incite violence. However, Gerald "Jump" Big Crow, Tribal Council member has attempted to gain access to the building on two occasions and has threatened physical violence.

Today the Department of Justice Representative Silke Hansen has requested a meeting between the Tribal Council and the Grass Roots Oyate to negotiate on our demands.

The Grass Roots Oyate stand by their beliefs that their demands are non-negotiable. The Tribal Council should know that until OST Treasurer Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs is removed and other demands are met that the Grass Roots Oyate will continue to maintain a peaceful monitor over the files in the Tribal Building.

As with all my emails concerning the Occupation Peoples please forward to any and all interested parties in its entirety

Wadv