Published Tuesday Aug 17, 2010 / Updated Thursday Aug 19, 2010
INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include a clarification of the position of the governor’s office on the matter of jurisdiction over the town of Whiteclay. The governor’s office does not respond to nor speak on behalf of political parties. (more…)

Published Tuesday Aug 17, 2010
By STEPHANIE WOODARD
INDIAN COUNTRY TODAY

LINCOLN, Neb. – Crime in the town of Whiteclay, Neb., which sells some four million cans of beer and malt liquor annually, almost entirely to Oglala Sioux Tribe members from the dry Pine Ridge Reservation, is not Nebraska’s responsibility, said Ashley Cradduck, spokeswoman for the state’s governor, Dave Heineman, a Republican. “The Indians are coming from Pine Ridge, and that’s in South Dakota.” (more…)

Published Wednesday April 14, 2010
BT RYAN R. DUDZINSKI
THE READER (Omaha, Neb.)

BELLEVUE, NEB. — On a cold, rainy April 7 morning, Native American flute music drifted through the Humanities auditorium at Bellevue University. People have gathered for a panel discussion about Whiteclay, Neb., the tiny, unincorporated group of buildings on the border of South Dakota from which members of the neighboring Pine Ridge Indian Reservation purchase staggering amounts of alcoholic beverages annually. Typically, high unemployment — near 80% on the reservation itself — mixed with plentiful alcohol is a recipe for disaster, and Whiteclay is no exception. Rampant crime, vagrancy, gang activity, prostitution, and vandalism plague the Reservation and its surrounding areas. It has gained national recognition as a chronic tragedy, dating to at least the 1960s, which nobody seems willing to resolve. (more…)

Published Monday April 12, 2010
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Some Nebraska lawmakers call it a measly sum that won’t do much. Others call it a start in trying to ease problems in and near Whiteclay.

On Monday, they gave final approval to a bill (LB1002) that, if approved by Gov. Dave Heineman, would set aside $25,000 and allow the state to hire a grant writer at a cost of about $31,000. (more…)

Published Sunday March 28, 2010
BY NANCY HICKS
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

The Pine Ridge Oglala Sioux Tribe will build a 60-bed nursing home in Nebraska about a half mile from Whiteclay, the village infamous for the large amount of beer sold there. (more…)

Published Sunday February 7, 2010
BY RICK R. GALUSHA
THE PUBLIC PULSE (Letters to the Editor)
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

I want to thank Gov. Dave Heineman for leading a group of elected officials to meet with Lakota Sioux tribal members in regard to the problems on the Pine Ridge Reservation, as well as problems related to the sale of alcohol in Whiteclay, Neb.

State Sens. Brad Ashford, Russ Karpisek, Colby Coash and LeRoy Louden have taken a step forward with the introduction of legislation that may provide, in part, much-needed alcohol treatment. (more…)

Published Saturday February 6, 2010
STAFF EDITORIAL
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

In a year in which spending measures are squashed in the Legislature almost before the ink dries, it’s encouraging that a few bills have been introduced to do something about the festering problem in Whiteclay.

As many Nebraskans know after a decade of media attention — including a film, “The Battle for Whiteclay,” directed and produced by Mark Vasina of Lincoln — four stores in the tiny village sell about 4 million cans of beer a year. (more…)

Published Sunday January 31, 2010
BY KEVIN ABOUREZK
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

Bruce BonFleur sees more than desperation, more than sadness in the eyes of the men and women he meets every day on the dusty streets of Whiteclay.

He sees hope, and he sees a desire to improve their lives.

“The street people of Whiteclay and Pine Ridge matter,” he said. “They are entitled to our help, and they are able to help themselves.” (more…)

Published Friday January 29, 2010
BY PAUL HAMMEL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN — Gov. Dave Heineman and a contingent of other state officials flew Friday to Gordon, Neb., to meet with Lakota Sioux tribal officials about a legislative proposal concerning Whiteclay, Neb. (more…)

Published Friday January 29, 2010
BY KEVIN ABOUREZK
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

A host of state officials flew to western Nebraska on Friday to meet with Oglala Sioux tribal leaders to explore solutions to massive alcohol sales at Whiteclay. (more…)