Julian Bear Runner

Julian R. Bear Runner was president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from 2018 to 2020. When elected, Bear Runner was the second-youngest person ever elected as president of the tribe.

Julian Bear Runner
43rd President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe
In office December 7, 2018 – December 4, 2020
Vice President	Darla Black (2018–19)[1] Thomas Poor Bear (2019–20)
Preceded by	Troy "Scott" Weston
Succeeded by	Kevin Killer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	2008–2011

Election

He was elected in 2018. At 33, he was the second-youngest person to ever be elected to the post.[2][3] In 2020, he lost re-election to former state senator Kevin Killer.[4]

Policies

COVID-19

Bear Runner responded forcefully to the COVID-19 pandemic, issuing lockdown and shelter in place orders.[5] He also ordered checkpoints to be erected along state and federal highways that passed through the Pine Ridge reservation, to prevent the virus's spread to the people living there and to support contract tracing if an outside visitor was later found to be infected. This, plus similar actions from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, led to a public fight with South Dakota governor Kristi Noem who demanded the checkpoints be removed and threatened to sue the Oglala and Cheyenne if they were not. Bear Runner refused, stating, "since she won't protect tribal health and safety, tribes have no choice but to take matters into their own hands." When the checkpoints were not removed, Noem repeated her demands but did not sue the tribes.[6][7][8]

Marijuana legalization

Bear Runner supported a successful 2020 referendum to legalize marijuana for both medical and recreational use, citing the potential economy benefits.[9][7][10] and the tribal council has set up regulations for the growth and use of marijuana.[11]

Same-sex marriage

In 2019, the Oglala passed an ordinance to allow same-sex marriage.[12] Bear Runner supported this ordinance; when anti-same-sex-marriage activists tried to put the ordinance up for a tribe-wide vote, Bear Runner cast the deciding "no" vote to preserve the same-sex marriage law.[13][14]

Controversies

Suspension

In July 2020, the Oglala tribal council suspended Bear Runner for 30 days. Bear Runner issued a COVID-19 lockdown order without informing the council and without being reachable by the council members to explain the order, leading to confusion. The suspension was with pay and did not lead to an impeachment vote.[15]

Sexual Assault Allegations

In August 2020, a young Lakota man accused Bear Runner of coercing him into sex during the years the young man was 17 and 18 years old. Bear Runner denied the charges. The Oglala tribal council put Bear Runner on leave and held an impeachment vote. The vote was 11 in favor of removal, 5 against, and 5 abstentions, which was short of the 2/3rds majority needed to remove Bear Runner.[16][17] News reports state that the FBI had also opened an investigation of Bear Runner over the assault allegations.[18]

Arrests

In May 2020, Bear Runner was arrested on the Pine Ridge reservation for drunk driving and threatening a person.[19] Later, in November 2020, Bear Runner was arrested for Failure to Vacate in Rapid City, SD after fighting with security at the Cheers Sports Bar & Casino.[20]

References

1. Zionts, Arielle (2019-11-25). "Oglala Sioux Tribe impeaches Vice President for abuse of public office". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
2. Zionts, Arielle (2018-11-07). "Bear Runner wins OST presidency, Black remains VP". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
3. "Oglala Sioux Tribe President Julian R. Bear Runner Biography" (PDF). Retrieved December 8, 2020.
4. "Kevin Killer Elected President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe". Native News Online. 2020-11-06. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
5. Smith, Dominique (2020-07-08). "Oglala Sioux Tribe lockdown lifted; President Bear Runner suspended". KNBN NewsCenter1. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
6. Reston, Maeve (2020-05-11). "South Dakota governor cuts her own course as she challenges tribes". CNN. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
7. Zionts, Arielle (2020-11-03). "Former state lawmaker challenging Julian Bear Runner in Oglala Sioux presidential election". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
8. "Gov Noem responds to OST President Bear Runner about COVID-19 checkpoints". KNBN NewsCenter1. 2020-05-14. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
9. Groves, Stephen (2020-03-08). "South Dakota tribe set to vote on legalizing marijuana". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
10. Groves, Stephen (2020-03-11). "Oglala Sioux Tribe approves medical, recreational marijuana". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
11. "Oglala Sioux tribe approves legal cannabis market". Marijuana Business Daily. 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
12. Zionts, Arielle (2019-07-16). "Oglala Sioux Tribe legalizes same-sex marriage". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
13. Zionts, Arielle (2019-09-07). "Oglala Sioux Tribe passes hate crime legislation". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
14. Pember, Mary Annette (2019-09-23). "The Oglala Sioux Tribe passes hate crime law protecting its LGBTQ citizens". indianz.com. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
15. Dewes, Travis (2020-07-15). "OST President Bear Runner suspended for 30 days". indianz.com. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
16. Pember, Mary Annette (2020-09-14). "Oglala Lakota president in limbo after sexual misconduct allegations". Indian Country Today. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
17. Zionts, Arielle (2020-08-31). "Impeachment hearing set for Oglala Sioux president accused of inappropriate contact with teen". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
18. Abourezk, Kevin (2020-09-11). "Leader of Oglala Sioux Tribe under scrutiny amid sexual misconduct allegations". indianz.com. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
19. "Oglala Sioux leader charged with driving drunk, threatening". Argus Leader. 2020-05-06. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
20. Matteson, Connor (2020-11-08). "Oglala Sioux Tribe President Julian Bear Runner arrested Saturday night". KOTA. Retrieved 2020-12-11.