A sign on the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. Photo from Rolf Blauert / Wikipedia
The acting leader of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of South Dakota has fired three outside attorneys, according to news reports. Vice Chairman Kevin Wright accused Marshall Matz, Tara Adamski and Dennis Ickes of interfering with the tribe's affairs. Matz and Ickes were close friends and allies of the late chairman Michael Jandreau, who was laid to rest this afternoon after leading his people for 36 years. According to an email obtained by The Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Wright told teach of the lawyers that they inserted themselves "into matters of internal tribal self-governance by offering advice to staff and involving yourself in unauthorized committees. Accordingly, you are now in a position of conflict of interest with the tribal government." Wright plans to hire new attorneys -- including Steve Emery, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. The council will still have to approve any new contracts, the Associated Press reported. Get the Story:
Lower Brule Sioux leader seeks out new tribal attorneys (AP 4/9)
Post-Jandreau shakeup occurs on Lower Brule (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 4/9)
Jandreau Passes Amid Administrative Controversy (South Dakota Public Broadcasting 4/6) Human Rights Watch Report:
Secret and Unaccountable: The Tribal Council at Brule and Its Impact on Human Rights (January 2015)
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