Editorial: Spirit Lake Nation needs a free and independent press

Wednesday, October 3, 2012  

"Many tribes across America desperately need a free and independent press.

And the Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota just might be first on the list.

The tribal council’s refusal to practice good government has been on tragic display. For months in the Herald and elsewhere, Forum Communications news stories have documented the horrifying complaints.

On Sept. 20, the tale landed on the front page of The New York Times under the headline, “A tribe’s epidemic of child sex abuse, minimized for years.”

And despite the fact that the situation prompted a takeover of the tribe’s social-services operation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the tribal council’s refusal to accept responsibility continues."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Spirit Lake and other tribes need a free press (The Grand Forks Herald 10/3)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Leaders to blame for abuse woes at Spirit Lake Nation (10/2)
Spirit Lake Nation hands control of social service program to BIA (10/1)
Letter: Boarding schools left legacy of abuse in Indian Country (09/28)
Former judge for Spirit Lake Nation calls child abuse 'normal' (9/20)
Editorial: BIA takeover of Spirit Lake social services welcome (09/20)
BIA to take over Spirit Lake Nation social services program (9/17)
Spirit Lake Nation social service director was in foster care (9/13)
BIA reviews Spirit Lake Nation self-determination contracts (9/11)
Investigation continues into death of child on Spirit Lake Nation (9/6)
US Attorney wants to provide help to Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation (9/5)
Editorial: Spirit Lake Dakotah Nation blames everyone for abuse (9/5)
Trial delayed for man accused of murdering Spirit Lake children (9/4)
Raymond Foxworth: Spirit Lake Nation crisis rooted in US history (9/3)