Three American Indian Tribes Reacquire Sacred Site, Pe Sla

Native News Network Staff in Native Challenges. Discussion »

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA – In an historic action, three American Indian tribes on Friday reacquired Pe Sla, a sacred site in the Black Hills on Friday.

A Satellite View of Pe Sla

The Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community gathered in a historic assembly of related Tribes to reacquire the sacred site.

Pe Sla is sacred because it is related to the Lakota Creation, is the site of annual ceremonies, and historically, hosted many village gatherings. Black Elk, the Lakota visionary, sought his vision at Pe Sla.

Pe Sla is a high mountain prairie in the Heart of the Black Hills, just north of Deerfield Lake and west of Harney Peak, near Rapid City, South Dakota.

Historically, Pe Sla and the entire Black Hills was protected by the 1868 and 1851 Sioux Nation treaties. The United States violated those treaties and took the Black Hills in violation of the 5th Amendment of the Constitution. So, Friday, the reacquisition was called a healing and historic event for the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota people.

The Tribes will work together to form an Oceti Sakowin Sacred Lands Protection Commission to protect Pe Sla and preserve the sacred site for traditional and cultural ceremonies in a pristine state for our future generations.

Chairman Brandon Sazue, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe; President Cyril Scott, Rosebud Sioux Tribe and Chairman Charile Vig, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community issued a joint statement late Friday:

“Today, we are grateful to stand together before the Creator to help heal our people through reclaiming one of our most sacred sites.”

“We did not wait for the United States to deal with us justly on our Black Hills rights. We acted now, exercising our inherent sovereign authority to protect this most sacred site. We must perpetuate our way of life for our future generations.”

“We thank the members of the public that donated to the cause of justice for our people. Now, we are more determined than ever that the United States must provide justice to our people and honor our treaties.”

“We thank the Reynolds family for working with us in our reacquisition of Pe Sla as a sacred site for the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people.”

posted December 1, 2012 9:50 am est