Opening remarks were made by O'Dell Good Shield from the Rosebud Treaty Council. He stated that treaty law is the only law that is valid and that can be relied upon. Mr. Good Shield said that it is for this reason that he works with the Teton Sioux Nation Treaty Council. As we move toward the year 2000, it is the white man's plan to terminate the Indians. For this reason the Treaty Council does not and must not work within the United States federal system.
Money is the only that that talks in the white man's world.
Money is their god. Mr. Good Shield also stated that the elimination of Indians and Indian territory was coming through taxation. Through taxation they get entry to the land and then are in a position to absorb it into the United States system of local, state and federal jurisdiction. Mr. Good Shield also spoke of the importance of the work of the Teton Sioux Nation Treaty Council. Losing Chief Grass Rope was a great loss to the Treaty Council and to the Lakota nation.