Bryan Brewer

Bryan Brewer
President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe
In office
2012–2014
Preceded byJohn Yellow Bird Steele
Succeeded byJohn Yellow Bird Steele
Personal details
BornPine Ridge, South Dakota

Bryan V. Brewer was president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from 2012 to 2014.[1][2]

Presidency

Brewer has tried to end illegal alcohol sales near the reservation border, even joining a 2013 protest against alcohol sales in Whiteclay just outside the tribal borders.[3][4] Brewer, along with Debra White Plume and other activists, formed a blockade to stop beer trucks from entering Whiteclay. Brewer was arrested on an unrelated warrant during the protests, but vowed to continue fighting against alcohol sales.[5][4]

He also argued against lifting Pine Ridge's prohibition on alcohol.

Controversies

In June 2014, Brewer was suspended and considered for impeachment by the tribal council for signing contracts without council approval and for mishandling a $5,000 donation.[6] However, he was acquitted; in July, the council voted to not remove him and to not suspend him without pay.[7]

Post-presidency

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he argued in favor of the checkpoints that the Oglala put up after South Dakota governor Kristi Noem demanded they be taken down.[8]

Personal life

Brewer was born in Pine Ridge, South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.[9] Brewer founded the popular Lakota Nation Invitational event.[9] He is a veteran of the Vietnam War.

References

  1. ^ Ecoffey, Brandon (2012-12-06). "Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux Tribe prepares for inauguration". indianz.com. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  2. ^ Ecoffey, Brandon (2014-11-05). "Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux Tribe chooses a new president". indianz.com. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  3. ^ "Pine Ridge, South Dakota Oglala Sioux Tribal President Bryan Brewer to meet with Nebraska Governor Heineman, Legislators and Liquor Control Commission to find solutions to end illegal alcohol sales on the border at Whiteclay". PR Newswire. 2013-07-07. Archived from the original on 2014-07-15. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  4. ^ a b Eaton, Kristi (2013-06-20). "Tribe president: Arrest will not deter work to stop alcohol sales". Lincoln Journal Star. Archived from the original on 2020-05-13. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  5. ^ Ray, Charles Michael (2013-06-19). "A Dry Reservation Clashes With Its Liquor Store Neighbors". WBUR. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  6. ^ Simmons-Ritchie, Daniel; O'Sullivan, Joe (2014-06-25). "Oglala Sioux president Brewer suspended by tribal council". Rapid City Journal. Archived from the original on 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  7. ^ "Oglala president Bryan Brewer avoids impeachment". Rapid City Journal. 2014-07-18. Archived from the original on 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  8. ^ Abourezk, Kevin (2020-07-01). "Indianz.Com Live: Bryan Brewer of Oglala Sioux Tribe". indianz.com. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Bryan V. Brewer -- Bio" (PDF). United States House of Representatives. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2020-12-05. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Preceded by President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe
2012-2014 		Succeeded by


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