Reclaim land for buffalo and Lakota lifeways

MILA YATAN PIKA PTE OYATE OKOLAKICIYE

(KNIFE CHIEF BUFFALO NATION ORGANIZATION)

Project Report

This report covers January – March, 2014.  Mila Yatan Pika Pte Oyate Okolakiciye (Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Organization) 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 and physical nourishment from them.  Below is a summary of our activities for this period.

January 19 – The organization organized and provided support to five families and community members in a Welcoming the Baby ceremony.  The Welcoming signifies acceptance by the parents and tiospaye (extended family) of the gift of life from the Creator and the sacred vow to honor, protect and love the child.  

January 24 - 26 -  TaCanunpa Sapa coordinated this very successful, alcohol/drug free event with the help of many male and female relatives. There were 18 basketball teams participating with team Shadow Wolf winning the championship game.  It was one of the biggest independent basketball tournaments held on the Pine Ridge Reservation and one of the few that had certified referees.  This event was held to raise funds for the upcoming Koskalaka Wicoti - Young Men's Camp - where Lakota traditional teachings are provided by the older men.  It will be held on June 5-8, 2014.

February 02 - This cultural teaching was on the origin of the sacred tobacco plant - CanSaSa, pronounced chunh-shah-shah, with the literal translation being "red willow bark".  The story was shared by Hmuya Mani with emphasis on the fact that there is an origin or root behind every sacred song and ceremony and that the origins or roots should never be forgotten.  The preparing of the CanSaSa was demonstrated by Wakinyan He Gleska, a young man who grew up learning the Lakota ways. He talked about how his mother often shared in the task of preparing the CanSaSa and that she observed respect for her sacred womanhood in the manner she prepared it.  This storytelling and demonstration was attended by 15 people.  It was told in the Lakota language with English translation by Sina Ikikcu Win.

February 9 - Hmuya Mani provided an Ohunkankan, story from the ancestors. He shared how it is taught that these stories are told only at night and only during the winter.  This story focused on how the Lakota people came to have the bow and arrow.  He told it in Lakota and Sina Ikikcu Win translated (to the best of her ability) into English.  He also shared a story of Iktomi (the legendary trickster spider) and how we have to watch out for those that would fool us. There were approximately 20 men, women, youth and children at this event. 

March 01 – In December donations of clothing, winter gear/boots, quilts and stuffed animals from organizers in Alabama and Minnesota were sent to Porcupine, SD for children and families.   In January, winter gear and quilts were given to children placed with foster care families and to pre-school children and families enrolled in a home-based early childhood education program.  They were all very appreciative of these much needed gifts.  This winter was especially difficult for everyone.

There were clothing and other items that were still available so on March 01, a free clothing give-away was held.  Many families from various districts on the Pine Ridge Reservation participated in the free clothing giveaway.  The buffalo project also sponsored a chili, frybread and baked goods fundraiser during this time.  Again, we say wopila (a big thank you) to the donors, the families who attended and those who volunteered their resources and time to help with the event.  

March 21 – Spiritual offerings were made and placed at the top of the sacred site, Hinhan Kaga Paha (Imitates Owl Mountain) aka Harney Peak, in the Black Hills.  This annual spiritual event requires a seven (7) mile round-trip climb to the top of the mountain and back down. This is a sacred ceremony to Welcome Back the Thunder Beings on the first day of the spring season.

 March 22 - Eleven young men and other men shared the task of cutting the wood in the sacred Black Hills, loading the wood and unloading the wood in Porcupine, SD.  In use were one big trailer, a small trailer and about three trucks. This event is very important in that the wood is used for the sacred Inipi (purification lodge ceremony) in which countless Lakota people seek and receive help.

Future Events and Plans 

• Community buffalo soup feed at the end of May, date to be confirmed.

• Sacred site visit where offerings will be made to the animal nation and to the bird nation at Pe Sla (Old Baldy) in the sacred Black Hills – May 17th.

• Horse Healing Event - Bamm Brewer will bring his horses out on May 18th.
•  Three instructors accompanying twelve students from the Students Shoulder to Shoulder organization will participate in a second visit from June 30 – July 07th.   “Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder, an international organization founded on the premise of service learning and engaging students in responsible and global citizenship. Over the years, more than 20 ESD students have traveled to New Orleans and South Dakota, as well as Bolivia, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, and Tibet.”  (Source:  Students Shoulder to Shoulder website)

•  Fencing Project -  This project is projected to be completed in the fall of 2014.  The early and late winter storms and the severity of the cold weather were challenges to the project. As planned, we are working to establish work camps beginning May 2014 for native and non-native youth and adults to assist with the fencing project. The project leases two pastures of which one (1,200 acres is fenced).  We plan to complete the fencing of 1,500 acres which is approximately seven (7) miles.  One mile of steel posts are set up now and holes are dug for wood posts to be put in the ground.  We have purchased 400 steel posts and will continue fencing when weather permits.

Other Sponsorship or Co-sponsorship of Future Events:

•  Young Men's Healing Camp - June 5 – 8, 2014
• Children's Healing Camp - July 1 –5, 2014
• Young Women's Healing Camp - August 7 – 10, 2014

Conclusion

Again, we extend a heartfelt appreciation to the people who support our efforts whether it be financially, physically or spiritually.  Your support is truly appreciated and 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 for their teachings, i.e., 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).

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, contact us at:

Email:  knifechiefbuffalonation@gmail.com

Telephone:  605-441-2914, 605-407-0091

Website:  www.knifechiefbuffalonation.org

or www.villageearth.org look for Knife Chief Buffalo Nation Organization under Global Affiliates

Links:

• Knife Chief Page on the Village Earth Site