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Lower Brule Council Meeting Erupts When Chairman Declared

LOWER BRULE, S.D. (AP) — The first tribal council meeting since the death of Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Chairman Michael Jandreau (JAN’-droh) ended in chaos.

More than 60 people gathered Wednesday for the meeting on the Lower Brule reservation.

Acting Chairman Kevin Wright opened the meeting with a prayer and moment of silence for Jandreau, who died April 3 from heart problems.

Wright then he declared himself chairman and recessed the meeting, prompting the room to break into chaos. Security tried to quiet the yelling onlookers who were divided between Wright’s new government and Jandreau’s old guard.

Wright says he can lead the tribe as executive and says the council must come together.

But one of Jandreau’s granddaughters, Roquel Gourneau, says the leadership issue could end up in tribal court or require a new election.