PRESS RELEASE:
MAKWA-Contact Andy Laverdure 701-244-5028 or Jolean Peltier 701-477-6974
January 9, 1996
At 0800 January 8, 1996, members of MAKWA Group and band members entered the
Turtle Mountain Tribal Offices along with support of National Native
Americans to address issues such as recall petitions, separation of powers,
due process, human rights, election fraud, civil rights, sovereign immunity
and more.
Upon invitation of the MAKWA Group, Mr. Vernon Bellecourt, representing
Peacemakers Inc./American Indian Arbitration Institute, was asked to guide
them and the Tribal Chairperson into a dialogue that would bring about a
beginning to an end of a long endeavor.
During the members' wait for Mr. Bellecourt, BIA Police began to arrive in
pairs. Members were accused of loitering by Martin-Kekahbah (Tribal
Chairperson) and were ordered to vacate the tribal premises.
Upon his arrival, Mr. Bellecourt went into an enclosed office to speak to
Twila Martin-Kekahbah, Tribal Chairperson, at her request. After completion
of her mediation session with Mr. Bellecourt, Martin-Kekahbah declared that
she did not need mediation and if ever she needed arbitration, she would
contact Mr. Bellecourt. She also stated that she did not recognize the
Turtle Mountain People's Manifesto and it did not hold any weight. BIA
Police and tribal police were in and around the building throughout the day.
At approximately 3:15 PM, BIA Police were ordered by Martin-Kekahbah to have
the premises vacated. Tribal police were located in the offices of the
Council. At that point according to witnesses, Debbie Keplin assaulted
Elizabeth McDougall then others joined the verbal and physical assault,
including Chairwoman Twila Martin-Kekahbah. During the altercation, Council
appointee Debbie "Chook" Keplin assaulted her with a sharp object, leaving a
cut on her face. She was not allowed medical attention until late yesterday
evening and was seen by an EMT-not a physician. Additionally, Rose Baker,
who has stated that she is allergic to tear gas, was denied medical
attention until this morning for reactions to being maced. Rose Baker and
others were gassed first when the police entered the building. They then
entered the janitor's room to escape the gas. The police then shot tear gas
under the door of the janitor's room. The occupants of the room had to climb
to the roof to escape this second gassing.
BIA Police forced their way into the building by smashing windows and firing
tear gas. Shots were also heard at this time. A witness observed a BIA
police officer shooting the door. Bullets passed close to people inside the
entrance. This action by the BIA Police was in direct conflict with the
Grassrope decision which states that BIA cannot get involved in election
disputes. According to Elizabeth McDougall, Twila Martin-Kekahbah ordered
BIA police to arrest her and shouted that repeatedly. Accordingly the
officers arrested Elizabeth McDougall.
Andrew Laverdure, MAKWA member, Elizabeth McDougall, MAKWA member; Rose
Marie Baker, Tribal Elder; Bob Baker band member and three other observers
from other nations, including Canada, were arrested. Cash bond has been set
for $250 for everyone except Elizabeth McDougall whose cash bond has been
set a $2,250.
This confrontation will not prevent the efforts of the MAKWA Group to bring
about a peaceful resolution to the problems at hand.