In addition, he says he will not recognize decisions by the council because only he can call a council meeting. The council says Salway misappropriated funds meant for victims of a June tornado at Pine Ridge. But each time the council has tried to remove Salway from his post, he has immediately adjourned the meeting. A judge is to rule this week on whether Jacobs' suspension will become permanent. The protesters say they want a return to a more traditional form of Lakota government, and they persuaded the council to order an audit of tribal funds from the past five years.
Council members say some protesters are upset because of budget cuts the council has undertaken.