nativesunnews.today<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\r\nPINE RIDGE, South Dakota \u2014 The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Julian Bear Runner, was not impeached during a hearing on September 14 for a complaint of inappropriate contact with an underage boy.
<\/p>\r\nThe victim, an 18-year-old who made the allegations against the president, and Bear Runner were able to testify at the hearing and both were able to call witnesses to testify.
<\/p>\r\nAfter council had gone into executive session, multiple motions were made and they needed at least 14 council members voting yes to pass. A motion to remove Bear Runner from office failed to garner a two-thirds vote at 12 voting yes, 5 voting no, and 3 not voting. Two motions to adjourn the meeting failed until vice president Tom Poor Bear finally called the meeting adjourned. A motion by council representative Chancy Wilson to send the complaint to the United States Attorney General and the Oglala Sioux Tribal Attorney\u2019s office was not entertained.
<\/p>\r\nThe victim\u2019s testimony began with his first contact with Bear Runner which was made on a student council trip to Bear Runner\u2019s office. The victim stated that Bear Runner provided his Snapchat information and the two kept in contact via the app thereafter.
<\/p>\r\nThe night before February 10, Karen Eagle, a spokesperson for the tribe, was organizing a political lobbying trip to Pierre. The victim, who was 17 at the time, expressed interest in the event and Eagle had arranged for Bear Runner to pick the minor up from his house in Porcupine and transport him to Pine Ridge for further transport to Pierre.
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