AIM News Exclusive:
Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota, November 23, 2021 /AIM-News/ The Oglala-Sioux announce legal actions against Nelson Worldwide and Windward Engineers.
The Committee to Preserve the Integrity of Native American Owned Enterprises, representing collectively over 100 tribes, have announced intention to sue Windward Engineering and Nelson Worldwide over misuse of tribal assets and over making false claims of Native American minority ownership of the two companies.
The suit intends to restrict Windward Engineering and Nelson Worldwide from claiming to be either "Native American Minority-Owned", or "Native American Operated".
Nearly 100 tribes have expressed support and will be sending prayer delegations to encampments along Prior Lake, near the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community that operates the Mystic Lake gambling casino. Additionally, various tribes have announced "Direct Action" campaigns against Nelson Worldwide and Windward Engineering offices, in the form of peaceful protests and prayer vigils.
These legal actions bring new challenges to the established interpretations of the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Administrative Procedures Act, as administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Tribal Councils and the Committee are demanding meaningful consultation with the Lakota-Sioux, and the Oglala-Sioux and other tribes in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
A representative of AIM-News attempted to contact Mr. Mike Clements, President of Windward Engineers, and Mr. Ozzie Nelson, CEO of Nelson Worldwide, but both refused to comment.
This is an on-going story, and there will be future developments.
For a complete review of the Committee's claim, please see:
https://www.native-american-business.org