White Clay Beer: Where To Buy This Specialty Brew

Whiteclay, Nebraska, a small village with a population of 12, was once home to four liquor stores that sold an average of 3.5 million cans of beer annually to the residents of the neighbouring Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where alcohol consumption and possession are prohibited. The beer sales fuelled alcoholism, violence, and social issues in the community and on the reservation. After a prolonged battle involving activists, lawmakers, and the court system, the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission revoked the licenses of the four liquor stores in Whiteclay in 2017, putting an end to the town's alcohol trade.

The history of Whiteclay, Nebraska

Whiteclay, Nebraska, is a small unincorporated village with a population of 12. However, what sets this village apart is its four liquor stores, which have been at the centre of a decades-long controversy involving the neighbouring Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

In the late 19th century, the United States government established a 50-square-mile "buffer zone" between the Pine Ridge Reservation and Nebraska, with the intention of preventing the sale of alcohol to the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST) residing on the reservation. Despite this, in 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt removed 49 of the 50 square miles of the buffer zone, and traders quickly established a post near the reservation border to sell alcohol. This trading post evolved into the village of Whiteclay.

For over a century, Whiteclay's economy was heavily dependent on alcohol sales to residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation, where alcohol consumption and possession were prohibited. This dynamic fuelled alcoholism and related social issues on the reservation, including domestic violence, murder, suicide, and birth defects. The OST and various activist groups led protests and legal battles against the liquor stores in Whiteclay, arguing that the alcohol sales contributed to the devastation of their community.

In 2017, the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission declined to renew the licenses of the four liquor stores in Whiteclay, effectively shutting down the town's alcohol industry. This decision marked a turning point, and efforts have since been made to transform Whiteclay's legacy. A non-profit corporation, Whiteclay Makerspace, was formed to convert one of the closed liquor stores into a creative space for local artisans. Additionally, the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, led by former Oglala Sioux Tribe attorney general Tatewin Means, has acquired land in Whiteclay with plans to build a holistic healing community. These initiatives aim to bring about positive development and support the healing process for the OST and the community of Whiteclay.

The impact of Whiteclay's beer sales on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Whiteclay, Nebraska, is a small unincorporated village with a population of 12. It is located just over the border from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation is home to the Oglala Lakota, a band of the powerful Lakota tribe.

In 2010, Whiteclay's four liquor stores sold an estimated 4.9 million 12-ounce cans of beer, with gross sales of $3 million. The majority of these sales were to residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, as the nearest big city is two hours away. The beer stores in Whiteclay also provide check-cashing services for the Oglala Lakota, taking a 3% commission. This has led to a significant amount of money leaving the reservation, further exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the community.

The closure of the beer stores in Whiteclay has had a positive impact on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. There has been a decrease in drunk driving crashes and felony charges filed in the county court. The environment has become safer, and residents of the reservation feel more comfortable visiting Whiteclay. However, bootlegging and substance abuse remain issues, and the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome will continue to be felt for decades.

The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation has taken steps to address the impact of Whiteclay's beer sales, including legal action against the liquor stores and efforts to control and regulate alcohol sales. In 2012, the Oglala Sioux Tribe filed a federal lawsuit against the beer stores and associated companies, seeking $500 million in damages for the costs of health care, social services, and child rehabilitation caused by chronic alcoholism on the reservation. While the initial lawsuit was dismissed, the tribe has continued to pursue legal action.

In addition, there have been calls for the legalization of alcohol sales on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, with some arguing that this would allow the tribe to keep revenue within the reservation and directly control and police alcohol sales. However, this has been a contentious issue, with concerns raised about the potential increase in alcohol-related issues.

The legal battle to close Whiteclay's beer stores

Whiteclay, Nebraska, is a small village with a population of 10-12 people, but four liquor stores. For over a century, these stores sold millions of cans of beer every year, mostly to residents of the neighbouring Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol is banned. This fuelled a host of social issues, including alcoholism, domestic violence, murder, suicide, and birth defects.

In 1999, nine Oglala Sioux activists were arrested for protesting beer sales at Whiteclay. They challenged their arrests on the grounds that the White Clay Extension, where Whiteclay is located, is under the jurisdiction of the Pine Ridge reservation. The Oglala Sioux Tribal Court ruled in their favour, but a Nebraska court overruled this decision in 2000.

In 2012, the Oglala Sioux Tribe filed a federal lawsuit against Whiteclay's liquor stores and several national beer distributors and manufacturers. The lawsuit alleged that the defendants knowingly sold and distributed beer with the intent of consumption on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The case was dismissed by a federal judge, who stated that the court did not have jurisdiction over the issue.

In 2017, the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission voted to deny license renewals to the four liquor stores in Whiteclay, citing inadequate law enforcement in the area. The store owners appealed the decision to the Nebraska Supreme Court but were unsuccessful. As a result, the stores closed for good on April 30, 2017, marking the end of a long and contentious legal battle.

The effects of Whiteclay's beer sales on public health and safety

Whiteclay, Nebraska, is a small village with a population of 12, but it was once home to four liquor stores that sold an estimated 3.5 to 4.9 million cans of beer per year, mostly to residents of the neighbouring Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, where alcohol is prohibited. The effects of Whiteclay's beer sales on public health and safety have been significant and far-reaching.

The sale of alcohol in Whiteclay has had a detrimental impact on the health and safety of the community, particularly the Oglala Lakota residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation. Alcoholism is widespread, affecting nearly every family on the reservation, and has led to domestic violence, murder, suicide, and birth defects. The high rate of alcoholism has also resulted in public drunkenness, with people passed out on sidewalks and streets, as well as an increase in drunk driving.

In addition to the health and safety concerns, Whiteclay's beer sales have also contributed to social issues such as vagrancy, panhandling, and sexual misconduct. The lack of adequate law enforcement in the area has exacerbated these problems, with the local sheriff's department struggling to address the issues with limited manpower. The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission (NLCC) cited inadequate law enforcement and public health concerns as reasons for revoking the liquor licenses of the four beer stores in Whiteclay in 2017.

The closure of the beer stores in Whiteclay has had a positive impact on the community. The number of drunk driving crashes and felony charges in the area has decreased, and the environment has become safer, with fewer vagrants and drunks on the streets. The end of alcohol sales has also freed up law enforcement resources, allowing for more focus on combating other issues such as methamphetamine. Additionally, the closure of the beer stores has led to increased economic development in the area, with the construction of new businesses and an increase in sales tax receipts.

The role of activism in shutting down Whiteclay's beer stores

Activism played a significant role in shutting down Whiteclay's beer stores, which had a long history of selling alcohol to residents of the neighbouring Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where alcohol consumption and possession were prohibited. The activism against beer sales in Whiteclay was driven by a desire to end the social and health problems associated with alcohol consumption in the community, particularly among the Oglala Lakota residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

The activism took various forms, including protests, rallies, and blockades aimed at drawing attention to the issues and pressuring authorities to take action. One notable form of activism was the annual blockades conducted by tribal activists from the Strong Heart Society since 1999. These blockades aimed to intercept alcohol and drugs being brought into the reservation, highlighting the issue and demonstrating the activists' commitment to addressing it.

Another significant form of activism was the involvement of Native American activists and organisations, such as the American Indian Movement (AIM) and Nebraskans for Peace. They played a crucial role in advocating for the revocation of liquor licenses and increased law enforcement in Whiteclay. Their efforts included protest rallies, particularly in response to the unsolved murders of two Lakota men in 1999, which brought attention to the issue and put pressure on authorities.

In addition to protests and rallies, legal action was also utilised as a form of activism. In 1999, nine Oglala Sioux activists led by Tom Poor Bear were arrested for protesting beer sales in Whiteclay. They challenged their arrests, arguing that the area fell under the jurisdiction of the Pine Ridge Reservation, where alcohol sales were prohibited. This legal challenge highlighted the issue and led to further discussions about the jurisdiction and enforcement of alcohol sales in the area.

The activism against beer sales in Whiteclay also involved efforts to address the root causes of the problem. Some activists supported the legalisation of alcohol sales on the Pine Ridge Reservation, arguing that this would enable the tribe to keep the revenues and regulate the trade directly. This approach, which has been successfully implemented by other tribes, was proposed as a way to address the issues comprehensively and empower the tribe to control and benefit from the alcohol trade.

The activism against beer sales in Whiteclay was met with resistance and faced challenges along the way. There were political conflicts and disagreements within the tribe, and between different levels of government, regarding the best course of action. Additionally, the beer store owners and their representatives fought against the revocation of their licenses, arguing that it was politically motivated and contrary to law.

Despite these challenges, the persistent activism and advocacy of individuals and organisations played a crucial role in keeping the issue in the public eye and pressuring authorities to take action. The efforts of activists contributed significantly to the ultimate decision to revoke the liquor licenses of Whiteclay's beer stores in 2017, marking a victory for those seeking to address the social and health issues associated with alcohol consumption in the community.

Frequently asked questions