The chairman of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe says "social bigotry" is behind the state of South Dakota's treatment of tribes.

Chairman Michael Jandreau has been battling the state on land-into-trust and sovereignty issues for more than a decade. He says the state would rather litigate than negotiate to address potential disputes.

"I say this bluntly," he told The Sioux Falls Argus Leader. "To me it is nothing but the social bigotry underlying all treatment of Indian tribes by state government that is fostered and promoted by the attorney general's office. In this case, it appears to be supported by the governor of our state."

The state asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block the tribe's land-into-trust application. The justices refused, allowing the Bureau of Indian Affairs to take 91 acres into trust.

Get the Story:
Ruling in tribe's favor stands (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 10/9)

8th Circuit Decision:
South Dakota v. DOI (September 6, 2005)

Relevant Links:
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe - http://www.lbst.org

Related Stories:
Supreme Court won't hear land-into-trust cases (10/3)
Appeals court upholds legality of land-into-trust process (09/14)
Chairman Jandreau: Indian Country being left out (09/06)
Appeals court sides with tribe in trust land dispute (02/10)
Court won't rehear challenge to tribal land base (05/21)
Court says U.S. can protect tribe's interests (02/04)
Land still in limbo after decade-long fight (10/16)
The day the Supreme Court said no (10/16)