National
Cecilia Fire Thunder declared winner at Pine Ridge


Cecilia Fire Thunder is the new president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

Results from the election held yesterday are not official. But preliminary numbers showed Fire Thunder was leading with 2,222 votes to 1,711 for activist/actor Russell Means.

"It looks like the Oglala Sioux Nation has chosen a woman to lead their nation for the first time," said Brian Drapeau, a South Dakota Native, on Native America Calling this afternoon.

Fire Thunder, a nurse, faced the outspoken Means. Former president John Yellow Bird Steele was ousted in the primary.

Fire Thunder said she will work to restore accountability in the tribal government. She billed herself a grass roots activist who brings people together.

Get the Story:
Fire Thunder defeats Means for Oglala tribal president (AP 11/3)

Relevant Links:
Russell Means - http://www.russellmeans.com
Oglala Sioux Tribe - http://www.lakotamall.com/oglalasiouxtribe

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Pine Ridge Election: Profile of Russell Means (10/22)
Pine Ridge Election: Profile of Cecilia Fire Thunder (10/21)
Russell Means, Fire Thunder to debate in Pine Ridge (10/18)
AIM leader, nurse face off in Pine Ridge election (10/8)
Russell Means top vote-getter in Pine Ridge primary (10/7)
Means says South Dakota GOP needs to do more (8/9)