Oglala Sioux Tribe presidential incumbent John Yellow Bird Steele is seeking his seventh term in office. FILE PHOTO

A political novice, Bryan Brewer took a strong lead in the Oglala Sioux Tribe presidential race in the Oct. 9 primary election. FILE PHOTO

Brewer, Steele sound off
OST presidential candidates prepare for final push
By Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Staff Writer

PINE RIDGE — The two contenders for the Oglala Sioux tribal presidency are in their final preparations for the upcoming general election on Nov 6th.

Although the race seems to be closer than those held during the past few election cycles the pressure does not seem to be bothering the incumbent or the challenger.

The feelings prevalent on the Pine Ridge Reservation seems to be whether the voters will stick with the current president or move on to elect someone that is new and has never run for political office.

Current OST President John Yellow Bird Steele said, “I don’t know that I feel any way. I have won and I have lost, and I have won and I have lost before. There really isn’t any feelings; it is just a political situation that I have been part of before.” Steele had nothing to say about what he has or has not accomplished in the two years he has served as Tribal President.

Bryan Brewer, who is the challenger and new to the world of tribal politics, also seemed to be handling the pressure of the election process quite well.

“I am excited to be running against someone like John. I want to win, but no matter how it turns out I am going to be glad when it is all over.”

Brewer led Steele in votes in the tribe’s primary election held last month.

The two candidates will face off in a series of debates at locations across the Pine Ridge Reservation this week. Both seem to be looking forward to the opportunity to share their opinions on issues regarding the reservation and Indian country as a whole.

“We really haven’t had a chance to talk one on one about any issues; I am looking forward to doing that at the debates,” said Steele.

Brewer — who has not taken part in any tribal presidential debates in the past because he is a newcomer — seemed to also be excited about the chance to share his platform with the Oglala Lakota Nation.

“During the debates I am going to be able to let everyone know where I stand on a number of issues. I am really looking forward to that.”

Brewer feels that despite the excitement that has surrounded his campaign for tribal presidency, Steele is the favorite at this point in the race. “It’s going to be tough to unseat John,” he said. “He is very tough to run against and even harder to beat, and I realize this. I am the underdog.”

Both Steele and Brewer told Native Sun News that if elected they were both looking forward to working with tribal council on the issues facing the Oglala Lakota Nation.

The candidates are set to square off for their final set of back-to-back debates on Thursday, Nov. 1, at Oglala Lakota College in Kyle, in the school’s library, at 1 p.m. and on Friday, Nov. 2, at Little Wound School in Kyle. The scheduled start time of the Nov. 2 debate could not be confirmed at press time.

Polls will open at 7 a.m. and will run until 7 p.m. for the tribe’s general election on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 6. Each reservation community will have a polling station set up for voters to cast their ballots.