I returned home today, the day after the rest of American celebrated their Fourth of July. I guess I should start from here to say I have been living with conflict in two worlds as a Native American. I am a veteran; however I did offer myself to protect the United States in case of times of war. Although at the time I was devoted to my mission, I was still wrestling with the idea of identity and who I am as a Native American. I was reminded too in basic training that I was Indian and so the others, after learning I was a Native person, expected me to be some how the super human warrior and I became "Pocahontas" to the rest of the platoon. Well, now 30 years later I can say I am not the same Indian I use to be, which was mostly embarrassed to mention to others I was an Indian… an Ojibwe or Anishinabeg Indian...and oh yes part of the Tantanka -Iyotanka tiwahe!

As I sat there yesterday morning with the big Bear Mountain looming overhead, I was aware that my relatives had something to do with this mountain too. After all, they had met here when they decided on the strategy for the Little Big Horn. Still, after all these years, the mountain stood steadfast amongst controversy and failed attempts in Federal and State court for the protection of Bear Butte as a prayer site, historical site or even an environmental significant site. Thinking back to the day before, when I had climbed the mountain with rattle snakes hidden in the grass on the paha, I could see I could se the huge amphitheater in construction just less then a mile away!

Many things I learned as my inquisitive mind began to decipher what environmental, historical, law significance this had over the years. I found Bear Butte is actually a rare and geological formation from underground magma chambers pushing this mountain up through the earth. It is here that precious rare minerals can only be found here on Bear Butte which makes this unique from the other mountainous ranges within the Paha Sapa. This and the fact there are endangered species that may reside in this area and still migrate here yearly is an important environmental concern.

The Lakota call this mountain Mato Paha. If the people of Sturgis and the world could see the importance of this historical religious site and what it means for not only the Indians but the surrounding areas, maybe others could wake up, understand, and value this site. This site, amongst the Sturgis rally, a money maker for greedy entrepreneurs is at its peak for controversy with many groups within South Dakota. We need advocates for environmental strategies willing to share their time to research this mountain and its uniqueness that not only involves an environmental significance, but a religious and historical value for all the people involved and who value this mountain.

The people of Sturgis, the grassroots people, do not want this area to be turned into a place where people come to drink party and exhibit enormous loud motorcycle pollution which destroys peacefulness around the Bear Butte area. Our Lakota nations need to gather for the summit on August 1-4 and declare and demand that the management for this mountain be turned back over to the tribes for management and reinforcement of protection from outsiders who are not historically connected to this mountain, and implement a buffer zone around Bear Butte. To organize an environmental research group, please call 441-8383 or email jeannesdbedell@yahoo.com. We need those with resources and skills who can be volunteer their time.
Jeanne (mashkikinabinais)