Sioux tribe elects first female president

PINE RIDGE, S.D., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- New Oglala Sioux Tribe President Cecelia Fire Thunder of the Pine Ridge (S.D.) Indian Reservation has vowed to reform the tribe and pull it together.

"There are a lot of smart people in my community who are willing to help," she told the Native American Times. "My job is to lead the charge, but lead it together."

Fire Thunder, a 58-year-old grandmother, became the tribe's first official woman leader when she beat out American Indian activist Russell Means 2,222 votes to 1,711.

"I have been preparing for this all my life," Fire Thunder said. "Still, I don't feel any different than I did before the election. More responsible, maybe."

Fire Thunder was born on the reservation, but moved to California as a child, returning 24 years later in 1987. She has worked for the tribe, a hospital, the state of South Dakota and as a private consultant.

She downplayed the implications of being the first elected woman leader, but said she "might be scrutinized more than a man. People might be waiting for me to make mistakes."

Fire Thunder was expected to reform the tribe's finances after former President John Yellow Bird Steele, who was plagued by allegations of financial improprieties, did not make it past the primaries.