Cecilia Fire Thunder, the first female president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, has not been suspended, as previously reported by the Associated Press.

The AP said yesterday [Story] that the tribal council suspended Fire Thunder for 20 days. But what the council did was agree to hear a complaint that she mismanaged the tribe's Head Start program, The Sioux Falls Argus Leader clarified.

Separately, 13 elders have called for her resignation in response to comments Fire Thunder made on KILI radio recently, The Rapid City Journal reported. Fire Thunder criticized the elders for "meddling" in tribal politics when the elders don't recognize the legitimacy of the tribal government. "I made a statement that added fuel to the fire," she told the paper.

A hearing on the mismanagement allegations will be held within 14 days. The complaint was filed by Alberta Iron Cloud Miller, the tribe's former Head Start director and attorney general. She was fired by Fire Thunder after the council suspended the $5.1 million Head Start program.

Get the Story:
Tribal leader accused of mismanaging children's program (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 6/3)
OST president feels the heat (The Rapid City Journal 6/3)
Tribal president faces hearing over management allegations (AP 6/3)

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

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