This photo from 2012 shows a meeting of the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council. Photo by Talli Nauman / Native Sun News
Treaty Council meets on ceremonial desecration
By Karin Eagle
Native Sun News Staff Writer RAPID CITY — At a recent meeting of the Black Hills Treaty Council in Rapid City a resolution was called for from the Oglala Sioux Tribe to stem the misuse and desecration of traditional ceremonies of the Oceti Sakowin. “It has been brought to the attention of the Great Sioux Nation that our sacred ways and ceremonies that were bestowed up on by the White Buffalo Calf Woman have become misused and desecrated by a certain few who do not uphold our Lakota language, values or perspectives,” said the Council in a written statement. The short term goals outlined at the meeting, held at the Mother Butler Center in North Rapid City, include establishing and incorporating a “Treaty Law” under the 1868 Black Hills-Fort Laramie Treaty. The goal of this “law” would be to protect the ceremonies that the Sioux Tribes have fought to preserve from being misused. During the meeting the topic of attendance at the Treaty Meetings was brought up by not only those at the speaker’s table but among the audience members. The discussion was held, informally, about what would be the best tactic to use to encourage more people to attend the meetings regardless of where they are held. Some of the speakers, which included Floyd Hand, Joann Tall and Oglala Sioux Tribe council member Jackie Siers, discussed the need to draw a younger crowd in but that the decision of the council in the past to conduct the meetings in Lakota only was a possible barrier. Hand, when asked about his own opinion as to what would bring people replied, “Money. When we pay for the rooms and meals and gas money, they show up.” Other news discussed was the challenge of the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s constitution by Dr. Art Zimiga. Zimiga is a resident of Rapid City, yet as a member of the OST, he has taken a petition out for candidacy in the upcoming OST election. As of press time the status of Zimiga’s petition has been unconfirmed. The challenge is being made as part of the movement to create a tenth district of the Oglala Sioux Tribe for the purpose of providing representation for the tribal members who reside in Rapid City and are currently unable to qualify for any of the assistance and voting rights afforded to members residing on the reservation. Native Sun News will be following the outcome of not only the OST elections but the challenge made by Zimiga as well as the current movement towards that tenth district, which has the backing of the BH Treaty Council. The meeting concluded with a meal and a prayer for the continuation and growth of the council. (Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission Native Sun News
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