Probably the least reported news item over the last few days is the stand-off that is occurring between the Sioux Nation and the Governor of South Dakota…..
It all began when the Sioux set up check points to control the people that could expose the tribe to this virus…..then the governor decided it was time to open up the sent word to the Sioux…..
South Dakota is threatening legal action if two Sioux tribes don’t remove their highway checkpoints—and one tribal leader doesn’t seem too impressed. “We are strongest when we work together; this includes our battle against Covid-19,” Gov. Kristi Noem said in letters to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribe, per CNN. “I request that the tribes immediately cease interfering with or regulating traffic on US and State Highways and remove all travel checkpoints.” The tribes have indeed posted checkpoints in an effort to curb the coronavirus; among the Cheyenne rules, reservation residents can travel to non-hotspot areas for essential activities, and South Dakota residents can enter reservations if they’re not coming from a hotspot or have a tribe-issued travel permit.
“You continuing to interfere in our efforts to do what science and facts dictate seriously undermine our ability to protect everyone on the reservation,” says Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Chairman Harold Frazier in a statement. “Ignorant statements and fiery rhetoric encourage individuals already under stress from this situation to carry out irrational actions. We invite you to join us in protecting the lives of our people and those that live on this reservation. I regretfully decline your request.” Last month, the feds issued a statement saying the tribes had to reach an agreement with South Dakota over the checkpoints. The Dickinson Press reports that South Dakota had 1,044 active cases on Friday, up by 198 from the day before, and a death toll of 31.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in South Dakota is refusing to end coronavirus checkpoints declared illegal by the state’s governor, saying they are the best tool they have to stop the virus from spreading.
Gov. Kristi Noem sent letters Friday to the leaders of the Oglala Sioux and the Cheyenne River Sioux tribes demanding that the checkpoints along the US and state highways through tribal land be removed.Her office released an update Sunday clarifying the request: “The checkpoints on state and US highways are not legal, and if they don’t come down, the state will take the matter to Federal court, as Governor Noem noted in her Friday letter.”
On February 27, 1973, a team of 200 Oglala Lakota (Sioux) activists and members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) seized control of a tiny town with a loaded history — Wounded Knee, South Dakota. They arrived in town at night, in a caravan of cars and trucks, took the town’s residents hostage, and demanded that the U.S. government make good on treaties from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Within hours, police had surrounded Wounded Knee, forming a cordon to prevent protesters from exiting and sympathizers from entering. This marked the beginning of a 71-day siege and armed conflict.
In Saner Thought 
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Come on, Gov Noem, REALY? … continue the ‘great work’ of attacking the Native Americans! Anyway, aren’t they expendable, after all? History again? … “We are strongest when we work together; this includes our battle against Covid-19,” Gov. Kristi Noem said in letters to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribe, per CNN. “I request that the tribes immediately cease interfering with or regulating traffic on US and State Highways and remove all travel checkpoints.”
I told my wife that the Sioux would tell he to “Bite Me…..and they have….thanx for the re-blog….hugz chuq
You’re most welcome, dear friend … what is their next step? Hugs …. ❤ …
Their next step will be confrontation like the Mohawks in 1990….https://apnews.com/73c8468cbb06a99e393621000f58d82b
Yeah! Lets wish the Sioux a lot of luck. What a horrible thing I hope there will be some others helping the Sioux saving their lives. Michael
This reminds me of the stand-off years ago with the Mohawks….this could turn ugly quickly chuq
Think so too, Chuq! But why arent they allowed to save their own lives? The name of the governour sounds not really American.;-)
She is white….and in South Dakota that means a bit racists….chuq
Yes, definitely my thoughts. Thank you Chuq!
Michael here is that stand off I wrote about….https://apnews.com/73c8468cbb06a99e393621000f58d82b
Very good article. Thanks for the information, Chuq. The situation with the indigenous peoples seems still unclear. I recall about two years ago a report here in Germany that an US farmer should be expropriated by a state authority.
Suddenly, heavily armed people from across the United States were on the ground to help him. Where they are now?
Those people mare busy trying to force the country to open up…LOL I pleased you liked the article….chuq
Thin so too, Chuq! Here they are hurring up for opening up the country to. Without any vaccine, and to less efforts testing most of the people in my opinion they will fail. Lets wait. I have only five kilometers to the Czech Republic. Lol Best wishes, Michael
This is so well written, and I’d love to point people to it, but I find myself distracted by the ads in the middle of your impassioned and thoughtful arguments. That they are ads for something health related makes then even more distracting.
I apologize…but I cannot afford the update for NO ads….chuq
I am not American of course, but my impulse is to support the action taken by the Sioux. Perhaps the authorities should be doing it, but in their absence they are providing a service that only seeks to protect their community.
Best wishes, Pete.
I am with them as well….I remember the Mohawk from decades ago……https://apnews.com/73c8468cbb06a99e393621000f58d82b
The tribes in South Dakota have dealt with the feds and now the states. They won’t stop protecting. It’s their code.
So very true and the way it should be chuq
I spent many years with family in Pine Ridge. They see this as staying alive.
We all should live as they do….chuq
https://www.omaha.com/opinion/alexander-mallory-tribes-have-full-legal-authority-to-use-checkpoints-to-safeguard-health/article_44250719-d3cd-5c12-9128-ada7cb52a705.html
THanx for the heads up….chuq