The Grass Roots Oglala Lakota Oyate (people) have formed a circle around the sacred pipe at the Red Cloud Tribal Building in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

On the January 16, 2000 The Grass Roots Oyate, a group of concerned Oglala Sioux Tribal members did take control of the Red Cloud Tribal Building for the sole purpose of protecting the financial records from further tampering and/or destruction. The people are demanding the removal of the Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs due to the abuse of power, mismanagement and mishandling of financial monies allocated to the members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

The group has drafted an Abuse of Power complaint against Jacobs. This charge will be submitted to Oglala Sioux Tribal Secretary in accordance with OST court order issued on January 21, 2000.

It is untrue that the people monitoring the Red Cloud Tribal Building are supporters of the Oglala Sioux Tribal President Harold Salway, disgruntled employees, or revenge-seeking politicians who were not re-elected to office; as alleged in a statement by Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs and other OST Council Representatives at an informal meeting at Porcupine, S.D. on January 20, 2000.

The people who are gathered around the sacred pipe at the Red Cloud Tribal Building are respected elders, traditional leaders, headsmen, mothers, fathers, and children. All are concerned that there is an abusive of power occurring in the actions of the OST Treasurer Chuck Jacobs, and that such actions are legitimized by the OST Finance Committee.

The Grass Roots Oyate petition for removal of the OST Treasurer will presented to the OST Secretary within the next few days. This is the first action that is being asserted as an immediate concern.

Additionally, we will be holding a Tribunal of the Oglala Lakota Nation in the next week to afford individuals an opportunity to give their testimony on their experience regarding allegations of Abuse of Power by the OST Treasurer Chuck Jacobs. This Tribunal has been called by several of the Tribe's traditional treaty elders and chiefs including: Johnson Holy Rock, Guy White Thunder, Joe Swift Bird, Floyd Hand. This testimony will be attached to our petition to remove the OST Treasurer.

The intent of the Grass Roots Oyate is not to inhibit or impede official business by the Oglala Sioux Tribe. An announcement has been made that financial office staff would be allowed to come to work. However, some of the workers expressed fear of being fired if they do report to work. The mediators from the U.S. Department of Justice is actively seeking written complaints on those that are making threats.

On January 21, 2000, in an attempt to undermine the Grass Roots Oyate, the OST Treasurer and the OST Attorney Marvin Amiotte did demand that all utilities be disconnect in the Red Cloud Tribal Building. Neither Mr. Jacobs, nor Mr. Amiotte are within the scope of their authority to take such actions against the members of this Tribe. At approximately 1:40 a.m. this morning, under court order, the telephone service was restored.

There have been some false reports going out over the Internet that traditional headsman and spokesperson, Floyd Hand was giving information to various individuals to send out today. However, this release will clarify that Mr. Hand has been on travel status negotiating for the Grass Roots Oyate since January 20^th.

For further information, please contact Floyd Hand or Media Relations Coordinator Dale Looks Twice at (605) 867-5303.

As with all my posts from the Grass Roots Oyate Please forward this in its entirety to any and all interested parties

Wadv