The Oglala Sioux Tribe council banned all abortions on the Pine Ridge Reservation and suspended President Cecelia Fire Thunder because she spoke out against South Dakota's abortion ban.

The council accused Fire Thunder of soliciting donations for a women's clinic without the tribe's consent. Although she never asked for money, women and women's groups sent her donations after she criticized the state law, the most restrictive in the nation.

Fire Thunder called the suspension an "ambush" and said the people who sought her suspension are motivated by politics since she is the first woman to lead the tribe. She said people were passing out flyers that read "Wilma Mankiller - Cecelia Babykiller," a reference to Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Get the Story:
Tribal council outlaws abortion (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/31)

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

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