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Historical
relationship to Mato Paha (Bear Butte)
The Lakota Nation
has a history of struggle with the United States, first over
territory and resources, then genocide, next the battle was about
sovereignty, finally followed by Treaty Rights. The Oceti Sakowin
entered into the 1851 and 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaties with the United
States, and the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty was radified by U.S.
Congress, thus establishing an international relationship between
these indigenous nations and the United States. Territorial
boundaries were clearly defined in the Treaty. Mato Paha is located
in the Black Hills, which are held sacred to the Lakota, and are
inside Treaty boundaries. The Lakota people have an inherent
relationship with Mato Paha as instructed by our Creator, and
inalienable rights to pray there and preserve our culture there. From
time beyond memory, our people have gone to Mato Paha for prayer and
other distinctly Lakota activities. When our people were eventually
forced onto reservations, we came with two items. One, the sacred
White Buffalo Calf Pipe brought to us by Grandfathers’
messenger, Pte San Win. The Pipe is to guide us, and to protect us in
times of hardship and tragedy. The other, a Star Map, which
identifies sacred places in the Star Nation and their corresponding
places on Earth. Mato Paha is one of the places our ancestors fought
to retain for future generations and for the Lakota Way of Life to
exist. This concept is known as Sacred Above Is Sacred Below, and it
is imbedded in our identity as Lakota Oyate. Through this ancient
philosophy, we are beholden to defend Mato Paha.
Summary of
Encroachment on Mato Paha (Bear Butte)
While our Nation,
and many other indigenous Nations, hold Bear Butte sacred, Bear
Butte, in the eyes of most Americans, is a South Dakota State Park,
and the nearby Bear Butte Lake is a Wildlife Refuge. Mato Paha is
located near the town of Sturgis, SD, about 30 miles north of Rapid
City. As the largest urban area in western South Dakota, Rapid City
is the center of tourism for the Black Hills region, which is the
target destination for much of the tourism in South Dakota. Sturgis
is another target destination for much of the tourism, during August,
it is the location of the annual ten-day “Sturgis Motorcycle
Rally”, which draws up to half a million bikers. Much of this
population converges around Mato Paha, where there are a large number
of alcohol stores and bars, concert venues, camping grounds,
pornographic establishments and other such businesses developed
solely to celebrate the Rally. We are finding that many area
residents oppose the rally as it does little to add to their economy,
as most business owners are residents of other locales, while it does
much to disrupt their lives, and adds to the cost of the taxpayer
through cleanup costs like, sewer, water, and trash.
Sturgis is located
in Meade County, which does not have zoning laws, enabling a liquor
store, bar, or pornographic establishment to be built anywhere in the
county. They also have a policy which allows for the transfer of a
liquor or malt liquor license from one location to another without an
administrative process.
Current
Desecration of Mato Paha (Bear Butte)
An entrepreneur
from Florida who owns bars in Mead County proposes to build the Black
Hills’ biggest bar and concert venue, right on the state park
boundaries of Bear Butte. This particular development of 600 acres
includes a 155,000 square foot htmlhalt parking lot, a 22,500 square
foot Saloon, an amphitheater that will seat 30,000 (the amphitheater
will use the sewer water brought in from Sturgis to irrigate its’
new landscaping) 24-hour dining, and an un-policed environment-all
this in time for the August 2006 Motorcycle Rally.
Recently, Meade
County applied for and received Housing and Urban Development funds
to build a shooting range at Mato Paha, but they had to return the
funds when it was uncovered that they submitted false information to
the federal government in order to receive the funds. Officials have
stated they will pursue this intent once they have identified funds,
so we realize this will be further encroachment on Mato Paha.
There is
discussion of the development plans of a new road to be built near
Bear Butte, resulting in a four-lane highway which will create more
noise and traffic to desecrate not only Mato Paha, but that will
uncover a Ute burial ground also.
There are
development plans to construct another amphitheater at the Glencoe
Campground that will also seat up to 30,000.also in time for the 2006
Motorcycle Rally.
There is building
going on now, for the construction of a 110 dry-cabin campground at
the Full Throttle Saloon-in plenty of time for the 2006 Motorcycle Rally.
From
Owe
Aku:
Bring Back the Way
"We Do Not
Inherit Mother Earth From Our Ancestors, We Borrow Her From Our
Children." --Crazy Horse |
