A sign at the Sacred Stone Camp, the original #NoDAPL encampment in North Dakota. The fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline was the biggest story in Lakota country in 2016. Photo: Lakota Country Times
2016 Year in Review
By Brandon Ecoffey
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Lakota Country Times Editor
lakotacountrytimes.com PINE RIDGE-- Over the course of the last year Lakota Country has witnessed several events of a historical nature that will have a lasting impact. NoDAPL
In fifty years the world may very well look back on what has taken place just outside of Standing Rock as the Genesis for the modern day defense of the planet. In 2014 the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe first began opposing the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The resistance to the multimillion dollar project had originated with Lakota people who were then joined by many tribal-nations and non-Native allies who answered the call to protect the water. In an effort to stop the pipeline people from around the world travelled to Standing Rock in what has now been labeled as the largest gathering of the Oceti Sakowin since just prior to the Battle of Little Big Horn. Standing Rock has filed litigation in federal court in the District of Columbia to challenge the actions of the Army Corps, undo the approval of the pipeline, and enforce their federally protected rights and interests. The lawsuit alleges that the Army Corps violated multiple federal statutes, including the Clean Water Act, National Historic Protection Act, and National Environmental Policy Act, when it issued the permits. On Sept. 9, 2016, The Department of Justice, the Department of the Army, and the Department of the Interior called for a stop to construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in the immediate area of Lake Oahe along the Missouri River. The statement from the federal agencies also called for national reform to “ensure meaningful tribal input” on infrastructure projects. Their announcement came in the wake of a court decision by the U.S. District Court which denied the Tribe’s request for injunction to halt pipeline construction. The tribes immediately appealed the court decision and are currently waiting for a ruling on the injunction pending appeal. In the meantime, construction remains halted in the immediate area of Lake Oahe. Pine Ridge men go missing
On May 7, 2016, Juan LaMont, 24, Tevin Tyon, 21, and Tyrell Wilson, 23, were recorded on a home surveillance system leaving the LaMont residence in the North Ridge neighborhood of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. The three were believed to have been headed out into the rural hills surrounding to blow off some steam and have some drinks. The three young men would not be seen for three weeks prior to being found dead as the result of a car wreck north of Pine Ridge. Although the loss of life was devastating to many in the community the three-week long search for the missing men resulted in an unprecedented level of cooperation between tribal, state and federal officials, as well as the citizens of the Oglala Nation. Surrounding communities would also contribute to the search efforts with the Pennington County Search and Rescue deploying a team along with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Tribes force South Dakota to comply with ICWA
A federal court has ruled in favor of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in a lawsuit that accused state officials of violating the rights of Indian parents and tribes in state child custody proceedings. In March of 2013, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit along with the ACLU of South Dakota and Dana Hanna of the Hanna Law Office in Rapid City on behalf of the two tribal nations. The lawsuit claimed that Indian children were being removed from their homes in hearings that last no more than a few minutes, in which parents fail to receive a copy of the petition against them or have a chance to present evidence. Federal law dictates that these "48-hour" custody hearings that involved Native American children must comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act and that the hearing needed to provide parents with the most basic of rights. Nearly 18-months ago a federal judge would inform Pennington County that they were indeed violating the constitutional rights of parents but County officials still refused to amend their policies. Two weeks ago a federal judge would order Pennington County to comply.
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2 children found starved
In a story first reported on by former LCT reporter Karin Eagle "on or about November 12, 2016 a house party was reported in the cluster housing located in Potato Creek. While breaking up the party law enforcement discovered two girls, ages 3 and 4. According to one of the people on scene during the rescue the girls were emaciated to the point where their ribs were showing. Multiple bruises were witnessed with some signs of potential sexual assault, which has not been confirmed or denied," wrote Eagle on her blog Oglala Spotlight. Darshan Lace Featherman, Roberta Featherman and Tressa Featherman were arrested Nov. 21. Darshan and Roberta Featherman are charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. They are being held, without bond, in the Pennington County Jail. Tressa Featherman was charged with knowing of the alleged felony. She has been released on condition, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Multiple murders shake Pine Ridge
This past year has been one of the most violent in recent memory on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Since the start of last year there has been multiple murders across the Pine Ridge. Federal authorities have made some arrests but a failure to communicate with the community has left many skeptical. (Contact Brandon Ecoffey at editor@lakotacountrytimes.com) Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter and download the new Lakota Country Times app today.
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