Chairman Renville with President Obama
This is a posting by Sisseton-Wahpeton (Dakota/Lakota) Tribal member (with minor edits), Allison Renville, a student studying Criminal Justice at United Tribes Technical College, and a small business owner, who was born and raised on the Lake Traverse Reservation. She has written and posted many articles online, in newspapers, and is starting her own blog, she can be reached at allisonrenville@gmail.com.
Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Council facing Tribal member backlash after unlawfully suspending Tribal Chairman; Chairman hires former South Dakota U.S. Attorney to represent him in removal hearing.
Tucked away in the tristate area of north east South Dakota, the people of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate have been devasted by the actions of a council, even the most uninvolved can see is wrong.
Only in Indian Country can a Tribe that passes a law to banish drug dealers can a Tribal Chairman be suspended for drug testing tribal employees (as part of federal government policy).
A scheduled hearing on the 18th of September will deal with a motion made Friday Sept. 4th to suspend the current majority supported Chairman of the Oyate (people), following the first blanket drug screening in multiple administrations. Council made a motion to suspend the chairman, something that has no precedent or language in the SWO constitution, but is also an argument which is used by the council to invalidate the chairman’s order of the screening.
A motion quickly made as this unlawful assembly took place has left members stunned at the arrogance and blatant ignorance of the law, with 7 districts voting and only 2 execs they made a motion to nullify the drug tests results. Re-instating jobs to each and every person who were in jeopardy, including users of THC. In obvious violation of several federal regulations, the council has now abused their power in supporting such a motion. a motion that could result in proof of aiding and abetting criminal behavior as well as obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence.
Now let's ask ourselves, how can two separate entities of the government go above the other? Can a meeting that wasn’t called into order by the sitting chairman be legal? HOW and WHY would you overturn a criminal charge in chambers when it’s lacking the authority to do so? All simple questions right, well unfortunately that’s not quite how it works in Indian country.
Habits and customs hard to shake in Sisseton, newer elected council members have been outnumbered with the placement of a former council person bringing the odds up to 4-3 old versus new. many of the candidates campaigned on change themselves leaving many to wonder what is really next for this now tainted council. With many speculating into their motivation, many will continue to raise questions toward the validity of each motion made.
An executive meeting is something only Chairman Renville can call, out of the building or on leave he has to personally appoint authority himself, it goes against policy to just assume authority which is exactly what happened.
Chairman Renville, while out on medical leave, was suspended pending investigation during a closed door executive meeting. The basis for this motion is solely based on certain tribal members dismay and recourse over the results and consequence of the Chairman’s action to enforce a drug-free workplace according to federal and tribal law. A decision that has been needed for years and has been looming over his head since the beginning of his term. All of the Chairman's staff was also put on suspension for their role in coordinating the annual drug test, although Human Resources and the Tribal Police Department were aware of the drug test and has failed to step-up in terminating employment and filing legal charges against the individuals that violated the policy.
Up until this weekend the Chairman's fate was near question, but with the full support from his voting Oyate and his decision to hire former South Dakota U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson (son of former U.S. Senator, Tim Johnson), as his legal counsel; the doubt in proper justice and due process may be mitigated, if proper procedures are followed. Tribal leaders across the country are aware of the current problems, which most of them face on their reservations. They are glad to hear Chairman Renville's efforts to addressing and trying to clean-up a problem that plagues Indian Country. While some tribal members speculate that former administrations had allowed to grow and flourish.
In the Midst of his accomplishments, choosing to administer a faculty wide random drug test has threatened to tarnish his very creditable reputation. The first screening in multiple administrations, this recent “following of procedure” has opened a door many seen coming with the passing of a resolution that includes Banishment if caught selling, trafficking and or manufacturing of METH. With numbers unreleased it has come to the public’s attention that many employees of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate failed to comply with the tribes Zero Tolerance Policy regarding all and every drug.
With the intention of trying to set a new path, while addressing issues left from past administrations, Chairman Renville has found himself at standstill. Even while having (2) executive officers support, they have been outnumbered by tribal council and those members personal agendas. Community members have developed a real problem of drug abuse on the Lake Traverse Reservation of Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota, where reports of 80% of our children are born addicted to meth, benzos, opiates and heroin.
There is nothing in the SWO constitution prohibiting Chairman Renville from calling the annual drug test and many tribal members are disappointed in the officials they elected. Unfortunately habits, traditions, and complacency of the past along with the current sense of entitlement, these motions were here held in a secret Executive Session behind locked doors. District council representatives voting based on the families of those who failed drug tests to go after the Chairman rather than address their family members addictions.
What has become to look like a conspiracy to overthrow tribal government, once again we are aware of the nepotistic nature lurking in this close knit community. Tribal Chairman was not informed of the secret Council meeting to remove him while he underwent medical procedure, resulting in speculation of not only insubordination but also a hypocritical injustice against a man only wanting the best for his people. A people of whom have suffered too many times at the hands of their own leaders, leaders that continues to perpetuate oppression upon their own people.
Supported by surrounding tribal leaders and numerous sister communities, the Chairman's fate will be determined and for the grace of God, will be restored to lead the Tribe.
Drug use runs rampant across Indian Country and the foolish action and politically based action has enabled the drug sellers and users on the Lake Traverse Reservation.
We must all work together to extinguish the drug sellers, the drug makers, and get help for those addicted to these illegal drugs. Our Tribe fights a daily struggle with nepotism and favoritism throughout the tribal government and entities of the tribe.
Chairman Renville should receive a mandate to clean-out the drug manufacturers, the sellers, and help those addicted to get help and create a better tomorrow for our children and grandchildren.
Many articles covering this suspension by tribal council have been covered and here are are a few links readers can follow and share! Please share this post and shame the tribal council into reversing their actions!
Former U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson has been retained to represent Chairman Renville in his closed door meeting with Tribal Council.
http://lastrealindians.com/...
Argus Leader, Tribal Chairman Suspended:
http://hosted.ap.org/...
In my opinion her posting is factual, and her information can be substantiated with council minutes, the constitution and by-laws of the tribe, and legal opinions supporting Chairman Renville I support Chairman Renville and believe that the Tribal council lacked the authority to suspend Chairman Renville.