Bryan Brewer Explained

Office:President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe
Term Start:2012
Term End:2014
Predecessor:John Yellow Bird Steele
Successor:John Yellow Bird Steele
Birth Place:Pine 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]

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. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ecoffey. Brandon. 2012-12-06. Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux Tribe prepares for inauguration. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20121212005104/http://www.indianz.com:80/News/2012/007928.asp . 2012-12-12 . 2020-12-05. indianz.com. en.
  2. Web site: Ecoffey. Brandon. 2014-11-05. Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux Tribe chooses a new president. 2020-12-05. indianz.com.
  3. Web site: 2013-07-07. 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. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140715092031/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/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-214546181.html . 2014-07-15 . 2020-12-05. PR Newswire. en.
  4. Web site: Eaton. Kristi. 2013-06-20. Tribe president: Arrest will not deter work to stop alcohol sales. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200513215400/https://journalstar.com/news/local/tribe-president-arrest-will-not-deter-work-to-stop-alcohol-sales/article_cfa329db-b08d-541a-86f9-55caada402cf.html . 2020-05-13 . 2020-12-05. Lincoln Journal Star. en.
  5. Web site: Ray. Charles Michael. 2013-06-19. A Dry Reservation Clashes With Its Liquor Store Neighbors. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130707034346/http://www.wbur.org:80/npr/190365290/a-dry-reservation-clashes-with-its-liquor-store-neighbors . 2013-07-07 . 2020-12-05. WBUR. en.
  6. Web site: Simmons-Ritchie. Daniel. O'Sullivan. Joe. 2014-06-25. Oglala Sioux president Brewer suspended by tribal council. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140627152832/http://rapidcityjournal.com:80/news/local/oglala-sioux-president-brewer-suspended-by-tribal-council/article_52292cd5-10d8-56d3-b9cc-f5e2f1114f68.html . 2014-06-27 . 2020-12-05. Rapid City Journal. en.
  7. Web site: 2014-07-18. Oglala president Bryan Brewer avoids impeachment. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140721030456/http://rapidcityjournal.com:80/news/local/oglala-president-bryan-brewer-avoids-impeachment/article_420a0c5e-4915-5219-89a9-4a40cb1cf6b8.html . 2014-07-21 . 2020-12-05. Rapid City Journal. en.
  8. Web site: Abourezk . Kevin . Indianz.Com Live: Bryan Brewer of Oglala Sioux Tribe . indianz.com. 2020-07-01. 6 December 2020.
  9. Web site: Bryan V. Brewer -- Bio. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140919222747/http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP06/20140407/101764/HHRG-113-AP06-Bio-BrewerB-20140407.pdf . 2014-09-19 . 2020-12-05. United States House of Representatives.