"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."

Get the Story:
Chase Iron Eyes: A Request to Help Save Pe’ Sla (Indian Country Today 8/23)

Related Stories:
Jodi Rave: Countdown to auction of sacred site in Black Hills (8/23)
Lise Balk King: Sacred site sale poses test for United Nations (8/23)
Johnny Flynn: Lakota people look to buy stolen sacred lands (8/22)
Winona LaDuke: Sacred site in Black Hills on the auction block (8/17)
Native Sun News: Rosebud Sioux Tribe leads fight on sacred site (8/16)
Ruth Hopkins: Saving a sacred Black Hills site from auction block (8/15)
Blog: Activists need help to prevent sacred site from being sold (8/15)
Native Sun News: Venerated Lakota site put up on auction block (7/11)