PETITION TO RESCIND RESOLUTION NO. 93-2025-CR.

Stop the Ban on Live-Streaming & Recordings – Uphold Tribal Transparency!

We, the undersigned members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) and allies, demand the immediate rescission of Resolution No. 93-2025-CR, which unjustly restricts public access to Tribal Council meetings via live-streaming, broadcasting, and recordings. This resolution violates our fundamental rights under the Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA) and undermines tribal transparency. 

Why This Resolution Must Be Rescinded: 

1. Violation of Tribal Rights – The resolution restricts freedom of speech, press, and public access, rights protected under the Indian Civil Rights Act (25 U.S.C. §§ 1301-1304), which mirrors the U.S. Bill of Rights. 

The ICRA (25 U.S.C. § 1302) guarantees tribal members free speech, press, and assembly. 

The resolution contradicts CRST’s own Constitution, which states: 

     > “All sessions of the tribal council (except executive) shall be open to all members of the tribe." (By-Laws, Art. IV, §6). 

2. Misguided Justification – The resolution wrongly cites U.S. congressional protocols (such as the removal of a congressman from a presidential speech) to justify silencing tribal members. CRST Council meetings are not federal proceedings—they belong to the people. 

3. Harsh Penalties – The resolution imposes unreasonable punishments, including: 

   - Civil Infraction

   - Class B Misdemeanor

   - $500 Fine

This impedes tribal members’ right to hold leadership accountable. The $500 financial penalty criminalizes tribal members for accessing their fundamental rights at a time when unemployment of the tribe reaches 80% and 1/3 live below poverty level.

4. Lack of Transparency – Public meetings must remain open to ensure trust in tribal governance. Shutting down recordings and live streams hides critical discussions from the people. 

This resolution greatly affects access for tribal elders, the disabled, and off-reservation members who rely on public recordings and livestreams to stay informed. 

CRST Council is inconsistent with live-streaming of each meeting on their own platform. Tribal members have reported the livestream often not working or volume being turned down deeming it unreliable. 

Our Demand: 

We call on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council to: 

✔ Immediately rescind Resolution No. 93-2025-CR
✔ Guarantee continued public access to live-streamed and recorded meetings
✔ Uphold the Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA) and tribal members’ right to transparency 

Join Us! 

Sign this petition if you believe in: 

• Open tribal government
• Freedom of speech & press
• Accountability to the people 

Goal: 300+ Signatures → Let’s make our voices heard! 

#RescindResolution93 #CRSTTransparency #IndianCivilRights