Two tribes are blaming the Bureau of Indian Affairs for not preventing a clash at a disputed Sun Dance in Oklahoma.

The Northern Arapaho Tribe of Wyoming and the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma said they told the BIA to halt the ceremony. Courts for both tribes had issued injunctions against the Sun Dance, which was being held by the family of an Arapaho man from Oklahoma.

"The BIA said they would help but they didn't," wrote Richard Williams, a Cheyenne-Arapaho leader, in a letter to The Oklahoman. "No one listened to us, the people."

A group of Arapahos from both tribes went to the site where the ceremony was being held. A clash ensued.

Get the Story:
Battle over Sun Dance heats up (The Oklahoman 6/14)
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Controversy erupts over Indian dance (AP 6/14)
Richard Williams discusses attack on Sun Dance group (The Oklahoman 6/13)

Relevant Links:
Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma - http://www.cheyenne-arapaho.org
Northern Arapaho Tribe - http://www.northernarapaho.com

Related Stories:
Dispute over Sun Dance led to clash in Oklahoma (6/12)
BIA investigates attack at Oklahoma ceremony (6/9)