HELP UPHOLD INTEGRITY AT STANDING ROCK

Hello,

My name is Stephanie Yellow Hammer. I am a lifelong resident and enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (SRST). I was one of seven people who contested the results of the 2021 Standing Rock Sioux Tribe General Election that was held on Wednesday, September 29, 2021.

During the 2021 SRST General Election there were many irregularities and violations that occurred that were violations of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Code of Justice Title XV (15) Election Code.

On Thursday, September 30th, the unofficial results of the 2021 SRST General election were posted.

It wasn’t until Monday, October 4th, that the official results of the 2021 SRST General Election were finally posted. When the results came out there were many people on the reservation who were wondering why there was a 72-vote increase for one candidate ONLY in the Long Soldier District “Office of Chair” race and why did it take them so long to count the official results?

There is a 3-day timeframe from when the official results are rendered that a SRST enrolled member may contest the results of the election. There were seven contests filed regarding the results of the 2021 SRST General Election.

A hearing was held on Friday, October 8th, on all seven election contests that were heard by the SRST Election Commission. The hearing lasted over 4 hours. The contest ranged from questioning a candidate’s residency, owing debts, incomplete forms the done prior to the unofficial canvass to the official canvass, not having the judge’s ballots included in this election, election officials supporting candidates and the issues of not allowing voters who were in quarantine/isolation to vote.

At about 10pm that evening I received my notice from the SRST Election Commission regarding their decision from the hearing that was held earlier that day. The letter stated, “The Election Commission determined your petition was DISMISSED based on petition was not proven by clear and convincing evidence to have impacted the results of the General Election.” They also attached a judgment and acknowledged the irregularities that occurred in Long Soldier and that they were clearly in violation with the election code and are deeply regrettable.

After the Contest hearing a few of us started discussion what we had each filed and decided that we were not satisfied with the Election Commission decision, so we were going to file a TRO with the Standing Rock Tribal Court against the Election Supervisor and Election Commission from enjoining the results to the Standing Rock Tribal Council.

On Monday October 11th, at 4pm a group of SRST enrollees filed a TRO motion for a Preliminary Injunction and Injunctive Pending Relief a New Election in Long Soldier District in the SRST Tribal Civil Court.

A court hearing was held the next day, Tuesday October 12th at the SRST Tribal Courthouse at 3pm.

The Judge order was as follows:

On Thursday October 14th, I received notice from the SRST Election Supervisor/Compliance Officer that per the SRST Tribe Court Order that a new hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 20th at 1pm.

On Wednesday October 20th, the court ordered new hearing for Plaintiff Yellow Hammer before the SRST Election Commission took place and lasted about two hours. That evening I had once again received my notification of the Election Commissions decision. They cited “Human Error” and could not verify why the violations had occurred at the Long Soldier District during the 2021 SRST General Election.

On Monday October 25th the SRST Civil Court Judge vacated the TRO and dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

On Tuesday October 26th Plaintiff Yellow Hammer filed a Notice of Stay of Dismissal in the SRST Civil Court.

On Thursday October 28th Plaintiff Yellow Hammer received an Order Denying Consideration.

On Monday, November 18th, Plaintiff Yellow Hammer filed an Appeal/Review with the Standing Rock Sioux Supreme Court.

On Tuesday December 6th the Standing Rock Sioux Supreme Court reviewed and discussed Appellant Yellow Hammer’s and issued a Scheduling Order which stated the following:

On December 28th, Appellant Yellow Hammer filed her brief with the Standing Rock Sioux Supreme Court.

I have contacted close to 20 attorneys to assist me with legal representation. All have declined citing……..conflicts of interest with the SRST, on retainer for a tribal entity, commission or board, or they do not specialize in tribal law.

On Tuesday, January 11th I was able to locate an attorney who will help me prepare my reply brief for the Standing Rock Sioux Supreme Court. However, there is a fee of $2000 that I need ASAP. I know that times are tough and everyone is struggling. I would not be asking for help but I have already used so much of my own money, time, and resources in my fight for truth and justice.

For more information and details please check out the "SR Long Soldier Election" page on Facebook.

Any help and support is greatly appreciated.

Wopida