Tribal member Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail reported red flags to authorities but says corruption persists
Sioux Falls Today
When the U.S. Attorney and South Dakota Attorney General's Office announced fraud charges against three family members regarding grant money at the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, some tribal members say they were disappointed, but not surprised. Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail, a whistleblower who worked in the tribe's economic development office, reported red flags to authorities about the $50 million broadband project, including a grant writer with a history of tax fraud and contractors with suspicious addresses. However, the project was still awarded and Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail fears the tribe is being taken advantage of by 'pop-up companies' looking to 'rip off the tribe'.
This case highlights the ongoing issue of fraud and corruption on Native American reservations, where economic development projects intended to benefit the community are instead being exploited by bad actors. The whistleblower's actions shine a light on these problems, but she expresses frustration that the corruption persists despite her efforts to report it.
Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail, who worked in the Sicangu Resource Development office overseeing the Rosebud Sioux Tribe's 638 contracts, noticed several red flags while the tribe was applying for a $50 million broadband grant. She flagged issues such as the...
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