Pine Ridge students protest

Red Cloud high school sophomore students walked out of the school to protest the termination of 2 culture teachers.

Students protest teachers’ firings

By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer

PINE RIDGE - On Tuesday, American Indian high school students protested the recent firings of two teachers and what they describe as the suppression of their Lakota language and culture at a Catholic school on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

The sophomore class of Red Cloud Indian School led about 25 students in a protest of the school’s recent firings of two Lakota culture teachers, the confiscation of students’ tobacco ties made on a religious retreat, comparisons of Lakota spiritualism to mythology and allegations of mistreatment.

Bob Brave Heart, Red Cloud Indian School superintendent, said that although he is disappointed that the students hadn’t approached him or the school’s principal about their concerns, the school would not punish the students beyond counting them absent from classes.

“They do have the right to protest,” he said complete article

The students were met by some members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe Council. "“I admire their activism." said OST council member Will Peters.