Here are a few articles addressing the issue of Cheyenne and Sioux Nations’ reservation road blocks during the pandemic:
South Dakota tribe: Sovereignty allows checkpoints
Update: Tribes respond to Noem’s demands to remove highway checkpoints. This one is particularly important as it includes a letter from the Bureau of Indian Affairs outlining what its understanding of the Tribes’ ability to restrict passage through their reservations some sure to click the link and read the letter.
South Dakota governor threatens to sue over Sioux’s coronavirus roadblocks onto the courts . . .
Coronavirus cases skyrocket in South Dakota after governor dismisses quarantine measures. For an additional perspective, this is all happening in a State that refuses to initiate any lockdowns or social distancing practices, which makes the Tribes’ efforts to protect their communities even more critical. Not to mention the poverty, and severe lack of access to health facilities on the reservations compounds the problem exponentially.
There are numerous other articles out there so be sure to read them, especially those from individual Nations such as the Cheyenne River and Oglala where the road blocks are currently happening.
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