DOUBLE TAXATION, SOUTH DAKOTA'S WAR ON INDIANS

In 1889 South Dakota was granted state status, the South Dakota State Constitution, Article 26, Section 18 prohibits the state from taxing Indians and Indian tribes.

In direct violation of the South Dakota Constitution, this newspaper, The Black Hills People's News is taxed when it is printed, and each of the thousands of people who purchase the paper each week also pay sales tax.

Of the two Pine Ridge newspapers the Black Hills People's News is the only Indian owned newspaper, and the Black Hills People's News is also the only newspaper that is taxed twice.

During the last administration an agreement was made concerning the collection of sales tax for the State of South Dakota, on purchases made by members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, at establishments on the Pine Ridge Reservation. If the State of South Dakota can not collect sales tax in Nebraska or Wyoming, why do we allow them to collect sales tax from the Oglala Sioux?   Is it to help pay for the social services that benefit the members? No, "services"to members of the Oglala Sioux are few and far between and almost all are funded by the Federal Government. Why are members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe forced to subsidize programs for non-Indians?

Is the gas tax OST allows South Dakota to collect used to benefit the citizens of the Oglala Sioux Tribe? NO, not only is Highway 18 poorly maintained, a large portion of South Dakota's highway funding comes from the Federal Government, almost none of which benefits the Indian population of South Dakota. Why are members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe forced to subsidize roads for non-Indians?

The question of taxation comes down to a simple and important word: Sovereignty. Until the State of South Dakota can collect sales tax and gas tax in Nebraska or Wyoming it should not be able to collect sales tax or gas tax from the Oglala Sioux, and that is what their constitution says.

Double taxation is only part of the problem, not only has the Black Hills People's News been denounced by one elected official for its factual reporting of news the people deserve and need to know, it is also now it illegal to sell the Black Hills People's News in Kyle. Interesting? It is very interesting, especially since the only newspaper on Pine Ridge that is Indian owned is also the only newspaper that is taxed twice. Do you wonder why? We Don't, we know, and you will also.

Charles Yow