APTN National News
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in the United States is wondering if the federal government is monitoring the actions of local and state police during clashes with #NoDAPL supporters known as water protectors.
They were told last month by the Department of Justice that monitors are onsite and supposed to be acting as independent observers.
The Tribe has been asking for proof but haven’t yet received a response from Justice, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the three federal departments involved in the Standing Rock conflict.
“The chairman has repeatedly sent out letters (asking) ‘exactly who your monitors are. At least can you give us the reports you are getting from your monitors so we understand the picture you are getting?’” said Remi Bald Eagle, press secretary to Harold Frazier, chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
Bald Eagle said the Department of Justice previously told the tribe federal monitors are on site to report on “injustices against tribal members.” APTN National News asked the department for confirmation but never received an answer.
Bald Eagle said the importance of the monitors couldn’t be more important as violent incidents continue to happen, including on Sunday when about 300 demonstrators were injured, including 26 seriously. One demonstrator may lose her left arm after claiming police threw a concussion grenade.
The Morton County Sheriff’s Office has denied the report saying its officers were not outfitted with such weaponry.
“We have seen no evidence that there are federal monitors,” said Bald Eagle. “If there are, no agency has answered our request to see any reports.
Obviously, we would like to know the narrative these monitors are painting.”
Frazier met with President Barack Obama in late October and reportedly said Obama told him monitors were on site, but Bald Eagle said he couldn’t confirm that, adding Obama said he himself was monitoring the situation.
