The Bureau of Indian Affairs needs to resolve the leadership dispute within the Oglala Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, tribal members said.

Activist Russell Means met with staff of Sen. John Thune (R) to discuss the issue. "The BIA has totally abdicated its responsibility of fiduciary," Means was quoted as saying.

Will Peters, who was involved in an earlier election dispute, also said the agency should act. "The BIA cannot afford to take a neutral position," he told The Rapid City Journal.

At issue is who makes up the tribal council. Alex White Plume and some of his allies says he is still president while John Yellow Bird Steele and others who won a November 7 election have been sworn in.

Get the Story:
Activist calls on BIA to intervene in tribal-election dispute (The Rapid City Journal 12/8)

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

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