Tribal Leader Wants Boycott of Chamberlain

CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. (AP) - The chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe is calling for an economic boycott of the city of Chamberlain, after the school board in the southeastern South Dakota city refused to allow a tribal honoring song during Sunday's graduation ceremony.

The Argus Leader reports that Chairman Brandon Sazue also has called for the withdrawal of millions of dollars of tribal funds from a bank that declined to condemn the school district, and demanded the high school return an eagle feather staff.

Superintendent Debra Johnson says the school won't do that. She says the staff was made to honor students - and the district would be abandoning that commitment by returning it.

The school says a feathering ceremony the night before graduation honors tribal students.

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