SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission opened hearings yesterday to determine the fate of four liquor stores in Whiteclay and the sale of millions of cans of beer to residents on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.
The Commission will determine if the four stores can continue holding their liquor licenses.
One of the first to testify was the Attorney General for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Tatewin Means, who told the commission about the tribe's headquarters and how close it is to Whiteclay. She says the tribe's justice center is about 200 meters from the town. She says the justice center houses court proceedings and the tribe's jail.
Means says cooperation with law enforcement is good, at least on the South Dakota side. Means says she's been serving the tribe for the last five year and there has not been any collaborative relationship with Sheridan County in Nebraska.
She says because the relationship is so tenuous, about the liquor sales, "it's historical because of the tribe's position on the alcohol sales in Whiteclay." She says it would be useful if there was more contact with Nebraska law enforcement.
Means says she knows tribal police reach out to Nebraska authorities especially when there are car chases across the border. "But sit down collaborations to figure out how we can strategize to provide more effective law enforcement in Whiteclay, it doesn't happen."
Yesterday's hearing centered on law enforcement and if the liquor stores are following the law. The commission could make a decision on renewing the licenses in the next couple of months.
(Thanks Jerry Oster, WNAX Yankton)