By Eileen Iron Cloud | Board Member
This report covers the four seasons of 2018. Mila Yatan Pika Pte Oyate Okolakiciye (Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Society - KCBNS) continues to provide a pasture/home for members of the Pte Oyate (Buffalo Nation) and the community continues to reap the benefits in terms of spiritual nurturing through their teachings and physical nourishment from them. Here’s a summary of our activities for this period.
Organizational Development
The KCBNS received its 501(c)3 non- profit status in November 2017. With this status came additional responsibilities for the organization. A bookkeeper was hired and he has used Quickbooks to develop a computerized financial management system for the organization. Detailed monthly financial reports provides the KCBNS Board with the information needed to plan, to ensure accountability and work toward sustainability.
A partnership with the Tanka Fund led to receiving an operational grant of $20,560 from the Indian Land Tenure Foundation in Minnesota for the period of January 2018 – October 31, 2018. Other partnerships include Hopa Mountain, Inc., of Bozeman, Montana, a non-profit organization that provides technical assistance to Native non-profit Buffalo in Knife Chief Pasture – Summer 2018 organizations and helped Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Society apply for its 501(c)3 this year. KCBNS Board members participated in the annual conference of Native Non-profit Organizations held in Keystone, SD in October 2018. A recent development included establishing regular communication with the Inter-tribal Agriculture Council (ITAC) based in Eagle Butte, South Dakota, an organization that has a great deal of information about buffalo. A continuing partnership that provides needed technical and fundraising support is Village Earth, Inc., based in Fort Collins, Colorado. Solar Well - Knife Chief Buffalo
The “Students Shoulder to Shoulder” organization based in Vail, Colorado is another continuing partner and it provides volunteers who have assisted with the traditional healing camps for children and youth. The Gundersen-Lutheran Health System of Lacrosse, Wisconsin provides similar support. These organizations have provided different types of assistance from monetary support to care for the buffalo. The Indian Land Tenure Foundation provided funds that were used to purchase and install a solar well system in the leased pasture (picture at left).
Teca Woapiye Wicoti - (Healing Camps for Youth) This past June 29-July 3, 2018, 130 persons participated in the Healing Camps at Camp Bob Marshall in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The camps ran concurrently at Bob Marshall. One camp was for Hoksila/Koskalaka (Boys/Young Men) and the other was for Wakanyeja (Children). Sixty (60) children were identified as the primary participants. They participated in traditional healing ceremonies along with their siblings, parents and guardians, and camp volunteers. In addition to the traditional practices, participants took part in talking circles,
individual and group counseling sessions, Campers being taught teachings about setting up a tipi and art therapy activities. A flyer is attached. Koskalaka Wicayuwita Pi (Young Men’s Gathering) Cultural Camp November 02 - 06, 2018 Mila Yatan Pika Pte Oyate Okolakiciye (Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Organization partnered with the Tasunke Wakan Okolakiciye on a cultural camp for boys and young men on November 02 - 06, 2018. Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Society board member Richard Two Dogs and Gene Giago, Elder of the Tasunke Wakan Okolakiciye (Medicine Horse) led the planning and implementation of this effort, with the help of male relatives volunteers.
Wopila (thank you)
We extend a heartfelt appreciation to the people and organizations, including Hopa Mountain, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority, Natural Native Foods, Tanka Fund, friends from Germany, Indian Land Tenure Foundation, Village Earth, and others who have supported our efforts in financial, physical, or spiritual ways. We especially appreciate the Tunkasila (spiritual entities) for their continued support and guidance. We also acknowledge the Pte Oyate (Buffalo Nation) for what they inspire in us and their teachings – protection of the young, conservation of the land and the strength and fortitude to endure whatever comes. Lila Wopila Tanka!! (We thank you all very much). Let us know if you have any questions, we are very interested in hearing from you! We are an affiliate of Village Earth Inc. and thank Dave Bartecchi, Executive Director for all his assistance, http://www.villageearth.org/global-affiliates/knife-chief-buffalo-nation-2.
Contact Information
For more information, contact us at:
Email: knifechiefbuffalonation@gmail.com
Telephone: 605-455-1865 or 605-899-9336
Links:
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