Speaker says countyís lawsuit is proper action

By GARY LARSON
Mille Lacs County Times
Posted 8/29/02

Darrel Smith is fed up with the federal governmentís Indian polices and heís attempting to do something about it.

Smith, who lives and operates a ranch near Mobridge, S.D., on the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Indian reservations, was the featured speaker at a public forum hosted by the Mille Lacs County Tea Party Thursday evening, Aug. 22, in the Dahlager Theater at Milaca High School.

The forum was part of a three-part series the Tea Party is sponsoring in Mille Lacs County to inform voters about the countyís lawsuit against the leaders of the Mille Lacs Band in which the county is seeking clarification as to the continued existence of the 1855 Mille Lacs Indian Reservation.

The second half of the forum provided an opportunity for candidates running in Mille Lacs County for commissioner, sheriff and county attorney to introduce themselves and tell why they're running for office. Each half of the forum was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Members of the Tea Party and other county residents are fearful that an expanded Mille Lacs Reservation, meeting perimeters of the 1855 reservation, would force many county residents to live under the jurisdiction of the Mille Lacs Band rather than the county. That jurisdiction would include paying taxes and other county fees to the band.

And, according to Smith, residents have a lot to fear.

Smith, who is secretary/treasurer of the Citizens Equal Rights Foundation (CERF) and editor of its newspaper, calmly explained current federal Indian policy, saying todayís policy is in place "because it was in place yesterday and yesterdayís policy was in place because it was the policy the day before."

"Our current Indian policy is a violation of the equal protection law, we are not treated equally as the 14th Amendment to the Constitution guarantees," said Smith. "Federal Indian policy is outdated and it hasnít been good for Indians or non-Indians living on reservations."

Smith said he expects Indian tribes from across the country to make a major push at the federal level this winter to gain total sovereignty on reservations.

"The tribes have the resources and are very intent on getting that accomplished," said Smith. "It will be a major fight and I wish I could be optimistic. Itís a fight we might lose.

"Thatís why itís so important to get the issue of just where, and if, reservations exist."

He commended the county on pursuing the lawsuit.

The majority of questions directed to the candidates in the second half of the forum concerned reservation issues.

And, the response echoed by all the candidates was that they would treat all the countyís residents equally.

The Tea Partyís second forum is scheduled Thursday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria at the Princeton Middle School. The guest speaker will be Elaine Willman of Toppenish, Wash.

The Tea Partyís final forum is scheduled Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. in the Isle High School Auditorium. Guest speaker will be Len Terisinski of Hobart, Wis.

The Aug. 22 forum drew over 200 people and lasted about two and one-half hours.