CPTnet
10 August 1999
PIERRE: SD: Local Newspaper Publisher Harasses Oceti Sakowin Camp

The publisher of the Pierre newspaper walked around the Oceti Sakowin
Campsite Saturday, August 7, around 11:25 a.m., taking pictures of the
camp's kitchen, a sacred fire, staff and sweat lodge against the wishes of
the people camped there.

One camper said he saw Terry Hipple's van speed into the parking lot of the
camp, honking at a car in its way. A few minutes later, CPTers Joanne
"Jake" Kaufman and Ben Yoder, in a meeting under the kitchen/shelter, saw
him taking digital camera photos of the camp's garden. One CPTer asked him
who he was and why he was taking photos. He said brusquely, "It's none of
your business..."

Hipple then walked quickly toward the tipis and sweat lodge.
Kaufman walked over, held out her hand, and asked if he was a
journalist, introducing herself as a human rights observer.
Hipple said his name and that he was the publisher of the Pierre _Capital
Journal_. He quickly added that he was not here on official business, or as
a reporter, but to take pictures "for a friend."

As Hipple continued toward the tipis, several of the Lakota men called out
that he should not take photos of the sweat lodge or sacred fire as a matter
of respect for their sacred things. He shrugged off their warning with,
"Oh, okay," and continued behind the sweat lodge to take a photo of the main
tipi with the fire inside and a staff outside.

Meanwhile, Kaufman used CPT's digital camera to take photos of Hipple and
his tornado-like progress to photograph the camp toilets and the rest of the
area. As she was taking photos of his white suburban vehicle's license
plate, Hipple walked by and said, "These [cameras] are handy little things,
aren't they?"

Meanwhile, camp representatives had called the police. A Pierre city police
officer responded to the camp's call, took note of their concern and called
Hipple to find out his perspective. Hipple said that he was just taking
photos and did not think his behavior had been rude. The police said that
it is legal for people to take photos and walk around on "public" land.

A South Dakota Peace and Justice member pointed out that the
Custer State Game Lodge is located on public land in the Black Hills, but
that people who tried to enter the premises and take photos there without
permission would probably not be allowed in.

On Wednesday, July 28, a _Capital Journal_ editorial about the camp said,
"The campers at La Framboise island are protesting the mitigation act that
has already passed through Congress. They hope to provoke a hearing in
Washington, D.C., but no one there seems to be paying attention. As we see
it, the protesters would be better off putting their efforts into lobbying
in Washington rather than sweltering in the park."

The previous night, the House of Representatives had passed Section 505
repealing Title VI, also known as the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower
Brule Sioux Tribe, and State of South Dakota Terrestrial Wildlife Habitat
Restoration Act.