Protect Bear Butte

Background

Whereas the freedom of religion for all people is an inherent right, fundamental to the democratic structure of the United States and is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution; ;……… “Joint Resolution American Indian Religious Freedom”, approved August 11, 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996),

Whereas traditional American Indian ceremonies have been intruded upon, interfered with, and in a few instances banned;…………… “Joint Resolution American Indian Religious Freedom”, approved August 11, 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996),

There is no greater atrocity than the continual violation of our religious freedom and inherent right to partake in sacred ceremonies without being spiritually violated, or suffering from the destruction and blatant disregard of our sacred lands. 

These Sacred lands are the bloodline and life way of our people and our traditions. 

Bear Butte is a sacred mountain located eight miles east of Sturgis, South Dakota. 

Bear Butte is sacred to many of the Plains Tribes, who continue to travel to the mountain each summer to pray and hold their annual ceremonies. 

The blatant disregard for the spiritual beliefs and ceremonies of Native People and the sacredness of this mountain is evidenced by the increased presence of bars and large concert venues, excessive motorcycle noise pollution, helicopters, flashing strobe lights over the mountain and intoxicated campers nearby. 

Each August, the Sturgis Bike Rally increases the population of Sturgis from 6,600 people to 500,000 literally overnight. 

Traditional people travel to Bear Butte for annual ceremonies and to worship, from May through the end of August. Each year people are violated in ceremony with the extreme noise and commotion that the Rally brings towards the sacred mountain.  

There are three Tribes that have a vested interest at Bear Butte and are paying property taxes in Meade County. The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe owns 1080 acres on the east side of the mountain, Rosebud Sioux Tribe owns 40 acres on the north side, the Northern Cheyenne’s own three separate properties: 40 acres on the west side; north side property is 160 acres, and north-east side is 440 acres. Both are undeveloped properties.  

Northern Cheyenne’s also share with several other Tribes in a land use agreement with Bureau of Indian Affairs, for the 120 acres on the west side of the mountain at the entrance of Bear Butte State Park. 

 

A) Bars and concert venues  

Since 2006, there has been a continual encroachment of bars and concert venues heading towards the sacred mountain. In the summer of 2006, a massive two story bar opened one mile north of the mountain, called Sturgis County Line (now called Broken Spoke Campground). It is known as the “worlds largest biker bar.” Their goal is to have a 30,000 seat concert stadium and a RV park, in addition to the two story bar. The owner of this location, Jay Allen has been disrespectful from the start. His initial plans were to call the location “On Sacred Ground” and erect an 80-foot Indian statue pointing towards the sacred mountain. Of course this was not viewed lightly by the Native and local community

Another encroachment in 2006 was a huge concert venue “Glencoe’s Rocking the Rally” which opened one mile to the south of Bear Butte. This venue hosts big name acts which draws crowds of tens of thousands of people, creating gridlock traffic towards the mountain. 

Whereas the traditional American Indian religions as an integral part of Indian life, are indispensable and irreplaceable;……… ;……… “Joint Resolution American Indian Religious Freedom”, approved August 11, 1978 (42 U.S.C. 1996)

B) Helicopters

In 2008, the newest violation and attack to the serenity of the mountain were helicopter flights.

The Broken Spoke Campground announced in April 2008, they would offer helicopter flights which would include flying over the mountain during the upcoming Rally in August. This would allow them to fly directly over people in ceremony, violating their religious freedom rights.

Upon discovery of this attempt, our organization challenged the Broken Spoke by contacting FAA and State Parks. We worked directly with Dick Bawn of FAA, publicly denounced the venues attempt in the media and challenged them in the Meade County Commissioners hearing.  

The new business partner of Broken Spoke Campground, Joe Murphy, stated in a interview on June 12^th with Rapid City Journal, “If we had someone who wants to go for a helicopter ride, we would make the helicopter available to them at the campground,” he said. “If someone asks to fly over Bear Butte, we’d take them unless it’s not allowed.”

After a long battle, we were successful in stopping Broken Spoke Campground. Their pilot never showed up. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Dick Bawn at FAA for all his assistance with this issue.    

In August 2008, three separate campground venues surrounding Bear Butte offered helicopter flights. Each venue was given clear guidelines directly from FAA about not flying over the mountain. On the evening of the first day of the Rally, after clearly being giving these guidelines, one of the venues flew over the mountain at 11:00 pm. This was a clear statement of defiance towards the Bear Butte issue.    

C)  Sacred Sites vs Blackwater

In April 2007, Sturgis County Line (now known as Broken Spoke Campground) partnered up with Target Logistics, Inc., a company that builds temporary cities for places at war.  

They acquired David Shue to be a manager and co-owner. He was a high level officer within the military group Blackwater, known for murder, violating women and corruption. 

In June 2007, the Meade County Commissioners held a hearing regarding the approval of a liquor and alcohol license transfer to Target Logistics.

Target Logistics and David Shue appeared with fifteen corporate officers, attorneys and six military officers, each testifying for his behalf and “his character.” The entire testimony revolved around his role in Iraq. 

We all questioned what they were doing there and reminded the individuals and the Commissioners we were in Sturgis, South Dakota at a sacred site — not Iraq. Unfortunately, the Commissioners, as predicted, fell for the charade and approved their license.  

This venue has continually violated the spiritual significance of Bear Butte, from their conception. Since Target Logistics and David Shue took over the operation, things have progressively worsened and the issue is more critical than ever. They have attempted helicopter rides over the mountain, flashed strobe lights over the mountain, had concerts so loud they shook the windows at my residence located at the base of Bear Butte. 

Currently, they are in the planning stage of building a huge amphitheater on the hill at the south end of their 600 acres that is much closer to Bear Butte.