Tribal president proposes clinic

By Bill Harlan, Journal Staff Writer | Friday, March 31, 2006

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No matter what happens to South Dakota's new abortion ban, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation needs a women's clinic, Oglala Sioux Tribe President Cecelia Fire Thunder said Thursday.

Last week, Fire Thunder announced she was researching how to open a clinic on the reservation where abortions could be performed, if the state's new abortion ban goes into effect.

The new law allows abortions only to save the life of the woman. There are no exceptions for rape or incest.

Gov. Mike Rounds signed the abortion ban into law last month, but the measure is almost certain to face a court challenge and a referral to voters in November's election.

Fire Thunder is one of 16 co-leaders of the new South Dakota Council for Healthy Families, which is gathering signatures on petitions to refer the abortion ban to voters. "We're collecting signatures like crazy," Fire Thunder said. "I'm very confident. We're not living in the 18th century."

Fire Thunder says tribal sovereignty would exempt a Pine Ridge clinic from the abortion law.

She also said that even if the law is struck down, Pine Ridge women need their own clinic. She said she would announce details of the proposal at a news conference today.

Fire Thunder will also discuss a controversial plan to open a bar for motorcyclists outside Sturgis, near Bear Butte.

A number of tribes, including the Oglala, hold Bear Butte sacred, and Indian groups are expected to oppose a malt-beverage license for the bar at a hearing Tuesday in Sturgis.

Contact Bill Harlan at 394-8424 or bill.harlan@rapidcityjournal.com