The one thing I need some clarification on is how this will work? They reside across a five state area, but the states themselves are a part of the United States, so how will the regulate entry into their country (given they said they will have their own passports) etc. Are they not just living on open land? Will they have to set up gated communities? How will all of this work? That's the big question.

Whether or not Russell Means is a 'long-time' leader or not...what is very clear is that the United States has never, and I feel very confortable saying, NEVER kept it's word or any of it's treaties with the "First Americans". The U.S. has continually lied, cheated, oppressed and repressed the indigenous peoples.....when land occupied by the native americans became valable...they were summarily removed and the land stolen.

I support the Lakotan Nation!! And wish them all the best!!

I truly hope they can manage this, for too long the Native Americans have been being stepped on, they are the LEGAL owners of this entire nation and the ONLY ones who can say without a doubt that they weren't immigrants at any point! I can only hope that Bush doesn't pull something stupid because I could see him asking people to goto war with a sparse 70,000 citizens to 'knock them into line'

Okay, first off, it was the mexicans and south americans that the spainards killed off, the brits, didnt start until AFTER the indians drew first blood at jamestown, now, no account is given as to why this attack occured, but I bet it had quite a bit to xenophobia, prevelant in the indian culture at the time, and greedy european tradesmen. Either way, it doesnt matter, the lakota nation wont withdraw, if they do, then they need to destroy every "european" style house they own, and give back all thier european cars they drive. Instead of whining about what happend in the past, how about they help fix whats happening in the future, and as far as letting anyone come live on their land tax free, yeah, Ill belive they will let a "white devil" like me do so when the earth stops turning.

everyone love freedom!!!