An Open Letter to the People of Standing Rock

First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you who supported me and my family during the run for Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairperson. It is your support that has given me strength through the campaign and this post-election ordeal.

I remain strong in my conviction that the election system works. Though human error was made by someone who, to my understanding, placed 72 votes in my favor into the spoiled ballot envelope during the unofficial count, it was during the official count that the error was caught. Had someone during the official count not reviewed the spoiled ballot envelope contents to authenticate their validity, I would have lost by three votes. I understand that human error occurs; we have all made errors at some point in our lives. Those workers who handled the ballots in the unofficial count had a long day at the polling site in Long Soldier, and they may have been tired and therefore susceptible to human error.

Like all of you, I would like to see a report by the election committee to justify how those 72 votes were found, which should alleviate concerns regarding this matter. I, for the record, certainly did not conspire with anyone to fabricate votes. Furthermore, there is no evidence whatsoever, to my knowledge, that votes were fabricated; all the data now available to the public points to there having been an undercount of legitimate ballots for me on Election Night.

I see room for great improvement in the election process and should I serve as your elected Chairwoman, I will work to rectify weaknesses in the system before the next election in two years. I believe fair and just elections are vital for the strength of our nation.

In closing, I ask that all of my supporters, and non-supporters, refrain from spreading rumors and allegations against one another. Displays of hate and bullying contribute to division among our people. We must work together if we are ever to fix things and move forward in a good way. It is common sense that we spread love and not hate and begin living by our Lakota/Dakota virtues.

Gratefully,

Janet Alkire