South Dakota Abortion Option?

from Boing Boing

Oglala Lakhota president: we'll host abortion clinic on reservation

Responding to South Dakota's statewide abortion ban, the Oglala Lakhota president on the Pine Ridge reservation -- a former nurse -- says she'll provide access to sovereign tribal land for clinics. Snip:

"To me, it is now a question of sovereignty," [Cecilia Fire Thunder] said to [Lakhota Times editor Tim Giago] last week. "I will personally establish a Planned Parenthood clinic on my own land which is within the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Reservation where the State of South Dakota has absolutely no jurisdiction."

Link to Native Times article (subscription required), or read excerpt on indybay website here. (Thanks, drogheda, Ryan and others!)

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Indianz.com reports:

"The President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Cecilia Fire Thunder, was incensed. A former nurse and healthcare giver she was very angry that a state body made up mostly of white males, would make such a stupid law against women."

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The Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota posted this response on their site. They thank the OGLALA SIOUX but indicate they will stand their ground and use all legal means possible to keep their clinic open. Link

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The state has no jurisdiction over the reservation, but the federal government does. Abortion is still legal in the US for women over 18 who have the means to pay for it ... well, at least for the moment.