Urgent: RCMP Investigates Threats at Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Election

UPDATE: Serious safety concerns erupted during the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation elections, prompting an urgent response from the RCMP. On Thursday night, election official Burke Ratte reported threats made against officials, leading to a temporary halt in ballot counting.

The chaos unfolded just 20 minutes into a live-streamed vote count. Ratte stated, “We had some band member try to rush the hall,” revealing that numerous threats were reported throughout the day. Moments later, he announced that counting would be suspended due to safety issues.

RCMP confirmed they were called to the scene around 8:30 PM after an electoral official reported threats. An RCMP spokesperson indicated that while the threat was deemed unsubstantiated, there were no arrests or reports of weapons at the voting location. Officers had been maintaining regular communication with First Nation Safety Officers prior to the incident.

Counting resumed on Friday night, with ballots read aloud during another livestream, as officials aimed for transparency. Each vote was meticulously recorded on large sheets of paper for viewers. The first ballot box took an astonishing four and a half hours to count, with votes still being tallied at the time of this report.

This election is particularly controversial, featuring current chief Vince Tacan as one of two candidates. Tacan is facing serious allegations; the RCMP charged him on November 5 concerning a historic sexual assault that occurred over 40 years ago. The alleged victim was reportedly under the age of 16 at the time. In response, Tacan asserted his intention to defend himself in court, claiming the RCMP’s announcement was a tactic to disrupt the election process. His statement was later removed from the First Nation’s website.

The other candidate for chief is Jennifer Bone, who will be vying for the position amid these troubling developments. The situation remains fluid, and community members are eagerly awaiting the final results of a highly scrutinized election.

As the situation develops, keep an eye on updates regarding the safety of election officials and the implications of the ongoing allegations against Tacan. The outcome of this election could significantly impact the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation’s leadership and stability.