Here at Politics Plus, we often focus on the discrimination faced by different minorities, but all to often I forget that one minority has faced more discrimination that any other. I speak of Native Americans. Now the Sioux Nation faces the loss of access to their most sacred site. The land was guaranteed them by treaty in 1868, but they were pushed off it when gold was discovered in the Black Hills. The family that owns the land has always allowed the Sioux Nation to worship there, but now the family is auctioning the land.
Right now, The Oceti Sakowin (comprising the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota People, and also referred to as the Great Sioux Nation) is battling against the clock to save Pe’ Sla, one of our most sacred sites. Pe’ Sla, located in the center of the Black Hills of South Dakota, is considered to be the heart of everything that is by the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people. Besides playing an essential role in our creation story and star knowledge, ceremonies essential to our culture and beliefs, that Tribal elders and spiritual leaders explain help keep the Universe in harmony, must be conducted at Pe’ Sla.
Pe’ Sla is currently owned by the Reynolds family. On August 25, 1,942.66 acres, sold in five tracts of land, will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Once sold, it is highly likely that Pe’ Sla will be opened up for development, with the state of South Dakota building an expansive paved road directly through it.
Although we believe our sacred places were taken illegally by the United States government, LastRealindians, Inc. is collaborating with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe to centralize fundraising to save Pe ‘Sla by uniting Oceti Sakowin Tribes in an unprecedented, collective effort. Together, we are attempting to buy as much of Pe’ Sla as possible, to save it from destruction, thereby ensuring that future generations of Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, as well as other Tribal Nations that consider the Black Hills holy, will continue to have access to this vital sacred site to practice their faith on its ceremonial grounds in its natural, pristine state…
Inserted from <Indian Country Today Media Network>
See the land. Feel the beauty of the relationship between the people and this land.
I cannot explain it, but I was moved.
Imagine how Christians might feel were we to lose access to the sacred sites in Jerusalem. Many would consider it a terrible loss. Because of the way the land ties into their beliefs, the loss of Pe’Sla to the Sioux Nation is infinitely more painful. We should do whatever we can.
22 Responses to “A National Shame!”
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TC, the last I heard, the auction was canceled, is it back on now? The Black Hills are beautiful and should be returned to its owners.
Good news … you're correct:
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/48771510/ns/us_news/#.UDmVJcKPUzA
That's right, but it could be rescheduled at any time. It's best of they can buy the land.
A Criminal act If carried out–Can I say Persecution ? Sounds like it to me-
The situation is the result of persecution. The crime was the same governmental one that plagued many, if not most, of the treaty tribes across the country; the government took back part or all of the lands set aside by treaty for the tribes. I wish luck to the tribal bands of the Sioux nation in pursuing a civil prosecution against the US Government for the treaty violations if any such suits are taking place. That though would likely only get them money and access rights, but would not likely return their sacred lands to them. A civil suit by the Tribes against the USA might net them the funds necessary to buy these lands back from the Reynolds, if such a suit is in progress and if the owners will put off any sale until the result of such suit is known.
As for criminal prosecution, not possible. The crimes that took these lands were long ago and easily beyond any statute of limitation and the perpetrators long deceased by now.. The crimes were often those of unsupervised "Indian Agents" from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Many of these agents were out only to serve themselves at the expense of the tribes they were assigned to work with.
Very well said, Kevin.
Welcome! 🙂
According to the video the sale was to have been on the 25. I just have to assume the white guys will win.
For now, my friend, your assumption was incorrect.
We have done terrible things to our Native American friends – we should be ashamed at what we've done to them. Instead of honoring them as a national treasure, we have stripped away their land for our own selfish use and now, once again, we are doing the same. Where is the committee on Native Americans in this mess? Doing nothing, as usual.
We certainly must do better.
" Pe’ Sla, located in the center of the Black Hills of South Dakota, is considered to be the heart of everything that is by the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people."
I believe that I signed the petition but, is it still available to sigh again?
Here is a petition you can sign:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/564/165/021/give-the-black-hills-back-to-the-sioux/
Thank you!
Sacred sites???
Why would they honor sacred sites when they don't believe anything is a viable religion except their own. I believe the entire planet to be a sacred site and look how it is constantly violated.
A belief worth honoring.
This also appeared on Care2 at the following link:
http://www.care2.com/causes/demand-that-the-feds-return-the-black-hills-they-stole-from-the-sioux.html#ixzz24jSKdwS7
This was my comment to it.
It is past time to return to the Sioux People what was stolen, not just the land, but a part of their cultural heritage, a part of their soul. Petition signed.
"The battle for the Black Hills has been going on ever since. But it wasn’t until June 1980, in the case United States v Sioux Nation of Indians, that the United States Supreme Court upheld an award of $15.5m for the market value of the land in 1877, along with 103 years worth of interest at 5%, for an additional $105m in damages. Today, that sum is over $1bn."
The way this is written suggests to me that SCOTUS upheld an award of $15.5 million plus interest at 5%. But there is no mention of payment to the People. If this has truly not been paid, is there a way to get an injunction to prevent the auction of the land until the Sioux People are in possession of the award and able to use it? Justice must be seen to be done and the auction of this stolen land, this part of the Sioux soul, should be declared illegal.
In watching the video, I found myself wanting to reach out to touch the rock, to pray. I have read several books about the Sioux and am fond of Native American music, particular flute. It is very spiritual and calming. One thing that I learned was that the drum beat is the heart beat of the Creator. I have since, found that especially comforting, like a baby feeling comfortable in its mother's arms. I was also lucky to be able to participate in a smudge ceremony during a First Nations Cultural Awareness seminar that I attended. There is so much that we can learn, appreciate, and uphold.
I hope that this auction is canceled permanently and that the sacred lands are returned to the People.
Thank you again!
My sacred site is the planet Earth.
See my reply to Patty.
I have signed all the petitions Sheryl has sent. Care 2 has been chaotic, to say the least for two weeks, so am having difficulty with all my mail. So glad to know the auction has been cancelled.
I am too!