The Native American community in Lower Brule City is characterized by chronic poverty, remote landholdings, and historical injustice. Today, this community struggles with rampant financial mismanagement and an unaccountable Tribal Government. Here are some facts about the population and steets in Lower Brule City. They may surprise you! Below is a summary of the findings from the Human Rights Watch report.
Human Rights Watch has compiled documents detailing the mismanagement and human rights abuses in Lower Brule City. The organization's research found that about US25 million in Tribal Government expenditures from 2007 to 2014 remains unaccounted for. That money is meant to fund essential services and help the community alleviate poverty and promote economic development. It is a scandal because the Lower Brule Tribal Council systematically withholds information about its activities.
The Lower Brule Tribal Council has ignored the rights of its tribal members and the duty to provide open government to its members. This blatant disregard for the rights of citizens has left the tribal members with few recourses and no effective remedies. However, the tribe is not alone in this dilemma. Its membership is growing rapidly and it is important for its citizens to receive a fair share of government resources.