In the name of Tunkasila, where are the new leaders of the Oglala?

It cannot be said too often: If blame is to be placed then let it be placed. Question: What possible reason can there be for Shannon County to STILL (after 30 years) be in the top ten poorest counties in America? Shannon County is number 3 on the list and even that slight improvement is unforgivable.

The Shannon County Commission, which holds all of its meetings in Fall River County, is broke. They can’t even draw a stipend for attending Shannon County Commissioner meetings, but can only get the basic travel expense money to attend the meetings.

The members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe living in Shannon County really need to get off of their duffs and get many more Native Americans to run for the office of Shannon County Commissioner come this next election. Of course, the blame for the continuing poverty cannot be laid at the feet of the Shannon County Commissioners, but the fact of the matter is that a county that is predominantly Native American needs to have a Commission that reflects that majority.

The Pine Ridge Reservation has been under the roof of such poor leadership since the days of Dick Wilson that it is no wonder the county remains among the top ten poorest counties. Let’s be honest about it. Under Dick Wilson there was more economic progress (new homes and new businesses) than at any time since the 1970s. This is a proven fact and although Wilson’s reputation as a leader was thoroughly squashed by militants in the 1970s, the irrefutable fact remains, and anyone with a hint of knowledge can research it, that under his leadership the Pine Ridge Reservation and Shannon County were moving forward in so many ways.

But all of that aside, the lack of leadership since then has kept Shannon County among the top ten poorest counties in America. Jeffrey Whalen has written several articles on the lack of economic leadership. He has asked over and over again about the lack of business acumen on today’s tribal council. The question arises every time the Council makes a bonehead decision that flies in the face of good business decisions.

Why didn’t the Oyate arise when current president John Steele got on KILI radio and announced the tribe was about to get more than $7 billion dollars from a non-existent entity? Doesn’t KILI radio have the capacity to check on such outlandish claims before airing them to an Oyate that is looking to pull itself out of the jaws of poverty?

Tom Casey sat on his fat ass and let these unfounded lies by President Steele go over the air as factual when anyone with an ounce of brains could have proven it as a big lie with one phone call. Native Sun News let the people know the truth about the mysterious $7 billion dollars just as soon as we could get the newspaper out on the streets. KILI has a huge responsibility to screen or investigate such outlandish claims before allowing them to spread across the reservation as facts. And please, Casey, don’t bet the farm on getting state-of-the-art equipment based on a lie.

John Yellowbird Steele has been elected to office far too many times and the state of Shannon County is a reflection of his incompetence. Why the Oglala Lakota are so inept at choosing their leaders is a profound mystery.

With the next election on the horizon, we beg the Oglala Lakota to study the candidates, review their background and education, and stop voting for someone just because they are your relative. It is imperative that things change and the Oglala need a leader that can bring about real change. The Shannon County Commission is also in need of Lakota leadership so in the name of Tunkasila, we pray the Oglala Lakota stop electing poor leaders and pick the best of the best in 2012.