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      Photo courtesy Tamra Brennan -- The two-story bar at the Broken Spoke Campground is one of many developments that have popped up around sacred Bear Butte over the last two years.  
    PIERRE, S.D. - A group of impassioned Indians gathered at South Dakota's Bear Butte State Park June 21 to pray for healing and to highlight what they call ''horrifying'' commercial developments around their revered mountain.

    The gathering was attended by more than 40 Natives, with some traveling from as far away as Canada to pray and honor the lands. Bear Butte is considered sacred to dozens of Native nations, including the Cheyenne, Lakota and Arapaho tribes, some of which own small sections of land near the mountain.

    The 4,422-foot peak has been used for thousands of years as a religious and commemorative place for vision quests, ceremonies of passage and renewal, spiritual offerings and medicine gatherings.

    In recent years, economic development in the form of bars, concert venues and campgrounds has become increasingly upsetting to Indians who have long made religious pilgrimages to the site. About a dozen developments currently operate in close proximity to the mountain, many of which have been built since 2006 in an attempt to lure bikers and tourists to the area.

    Tamra Brennan, founder of the grass-roots organization Protect Sacred Sites Indigenous People, One Nation, lives near the base of the mountain. She said that noise from motorcycle rallies and drunken partiers, as well as fireworks and flashing strobe lights that are sometimes shone onto the mountain, have disrupted the sacred lands.

    ''The struggle has gotten difficult over the last few months,'' Brennan, Eastern Cherokee, said. ''It's been hard to keep people informed on new developments. The issue is a lot more critical now than even a few years ago.''

    Brennan and others are urging the Meade County Commission to deny alcohol licenses for the Broken Spoke Campground, which they say is one of the most disruptive developments in the area.

    Originally called Sturgis County Line Bar, the two-story, 25,000-square-foot venue is in transition to be operated by Boston-based Target Logistics, an international company that provides housing, transportation, life support and hospitality services. The property was previously under the sole management of developer Jay Allen, who lost his alcohol license last year due to character issues.

    Developers with Broken Spoke recently expressed interest in offering helicopter rides over the mountain, which further angered Natives in the area. The Native American Rights Fund has consulted with local Indians on helping to legally stop the rides under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act.

    Developers have also pursued plans to build a concert stadium and an RV park in addition to the bar already on the grounds.

    ''It's going to make it practically impossible to pray in peace,'' Brennan said.

    Target Logistics President Joe Murphy has said in the past that he is ''happy to sit down and listen to our critics'' and that he is ''respectful'' of his critics' religious views. He could not be reached by press time for further comment.

    The commission's meeting to determine whether the campground will get its alcohol license is scheduled for July 1. Brennan's organization is encouraging tribal members from throughout the region to make their voices heard prior to meeting day. Organizers believe that visitors will be discouraged from frequenting the venue, if liquor cannot be served.

    The National Congress of American Indians is opposed to the alcohol license application submitted by Broken Spoke.

    ''Both the location and the character of the applicant are unsuitable for any alcohol licenses,'' according to a letter sent by NCAI to the Meade County Commission.

    The organization also recommended that county commissioners ''use their broad discretion over alcohol licenses to begin government-to-government consultation with affected local Indian tribes to establish notification and consultation procedures for decisions that affect religious practice at Bear Butte and all American Indian sacred sites.''

    Republican Gov. Mike Rounds and some state legislators have also tried to conserve and protect lands around Bear Butte, but have been unsuccessful to date.

    Alberta Fischer, a Montana-based Northern Cheyenne elder, said she is hopeful that the damages she's seen as a result of the developments will one day end. She first started making treks to the mountain as a young girl when she watched her grandparents and parents pray and perform religious ceremonies there.

    ''I grew up with it. I know the true significance of that mountain. It's been a part of my life, which is why I'm opposed to any development. I'm not afraid to speak on behalf of the mountain.

    ''There's going to be somebody who will listen to us one of these days. And that's what I pray for.''

    Bear Butte was listed as a National Natural Landmark in 1965, as a National Historical Place in 1973 and as a National Historic Landmark in 1981. It has been on the National Historic Landmarks threat level watch list since 2004.

    For more information, visit www.ProtectBearButte.com.


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    PINE RIDGE - Theresa Two Bulls, the two term incumbent, defeated challenger Jim Bradford 1,179 to 1,153 for the Democratic nomination for the District 27 State Senate slot.Two Bulls will face Craig Hanrahan of Phillip in the November election. Legislative District 27 includes all of Shannon County and portions of Haakon, Jackson and Bennett counties.
    In the state House of Representatives race, Kevin Killer with 917 votes and Edward Iron Cloud III with 912 won the two Democratic nominations over Joseph White Bear Claws with 691 and Robert Fogg Jr. with 478. Larry Lucas, the incumbent in District 26A won handily with 914 over Paul Joseph's 302 and Calvin Jones with 239. Dean Schrempp, manager of the Eagle Butte Airport, defeated Richard Zacher 878-441 for the District 28A democratic nomination.
    "This is one step of the way, I really want to work hard to make sure our voice is heard in the state legislature," said Ed Iron Cloud III, "if I make it this the fall, it will be an honor and a privilege to serve the people of District 27.
    Senator Two Bulls has just completed her second term in the State Senate. She served as Secretary and Vice President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe before running for state office and currently works as a prosecutor in the Oglala Sioux Tribal Court. Bradford, a retired educator, completed four terms as a State Representative before challenging Two Bulls for the Senate nomination; Bradford was unable to run again for the Representative position because of term limits.
    Senator Hillary Clinton defeated Senator Barrack Obama in the South Dakota Democratic primary 54,014 to 43,574; earlier in the day on Tuesday, Senator Obama picked up the necessary delegates to win the Democratic nomination for President.
    The long Democratic presidential primary brought Senator Clinton and her husband President bill Clinton to South Dakota and Pine Ridge reservation 30 times over the last month.
    Clinton came to Pine Ridge as President in 1999.
    Senator Obama visited a number of communities across the state and inspired hundreds of young volunteers to get new voters registered on reservations across the state.
    In county tallies, in Shannon County, Obama had a 52 percent win over Clinton; in Todd County, Obama had a 63 percent win Clinton; in Jackson County, Clinton had a 58 percent win over Obama's 42 percent and in Bennett County, Obama had 53 percent with Clinton at 46 percent.
    National Native News reported the native voter turnout was exceptional high in Montana and South Dakota this election.
    The Crow Tribe, which usually has a voter turnout of 20 to 25 percent eligible voters had an increase of 40 percent voter turnout this election.
    Joel Dykstra easily won the Republican nomination for U.S. senate over Sam Kephart and Charles Ganyo 34,472 to 13,025 for Kephart and 4,968 for Ganyo. Dykstra will face two time incumbent, Senator Tim Johnson in the November election.wo Bulls defeats Bradford, Killer and Iron Cloud pick up primary
     


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    24 area students listed for Gates college money
    24 area students listed for Gates college money
    PINE RIDGE - Since 1999, 1,200 Native American high school graduates from around the country have received a Gates Millennium Scholarship to help them (more)
     

    Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the Kennedys

     

    PINE RIDGE - As the Democratic primary season is seriously winding down, the Democratic presidential campaigns of Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama sought to focus on the Pine Ridge reservation (more)
     

    Obama, Clinton court Native vote in South Dakota

    PIERRE (AP) - Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are working hard to win American Indian votes as the two Democratic presidential hopefuls compete in South Dakota's presidential primary. (more)

     

    Presidential campaigns target South Dakota and Pine Ridge

    Left to right: Clinton, Shorty Brewer, Davey Pourier, Carol Crazy Thunder O’Rourke, Theresa Two Bulls, Ella Carlow, Jump Big Crow and Chuck Jacobs.
    Left to right: Clinton, Shorty Brewer, Davey Pourier, Carol Crazy Thunder O’Rourke, Theresa Two Bulls, Ella Carlow, Jump Big Crow and Chuck Jacobs.
    Former President Bill Clinton speaks with Oglala Sioux Tribe council members on Wednesday, May 14 at the Pine Ridge High School. (more)


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    Left to right: Lakota Fund's David White Bull, Wawokiye Business Institute Small Business Success Coach, Debra and Leonard Martinez of KOLA Campground, and Lakota Fund's Tony Taylor, loan officer.
    Left to right: Lakota Fund's David White Bull, Wawokiye Business Institute Small Business Success Coach, Debra and Leonard Martinez of KOLA Campground, and Lakota Fund's Tony Taylor, loan officer.
    WOUNDED KNEE - KOLA Campground owners Leonard and Debra Martinez wanted to expand their business of trail rides on horses to include overnight camping with added activities.
    Lakota Funds had the opportunity to assist Leonard and Debra with one of our loan products to accomplish their expansion goal.
    David White Bull, Lakota Funds Wawokiye Business Institute Success Coach was able to offer technical assistance to develop sources and uses with cash flow projections.
    The loan department offered suggestions and then a loan. KOLA campgrounds will include sleeping under the starts in traditional tipis, beds and showers, evening meals of traditional Lakota foods and other activities. This summer the sale of artwork/crafts and the features of the campground will be offered by the Martinez to tourists and tribal members who pass through the Wounded Knee village. To book your camping trip and to obtain more information call Debra and Leonard at 605-441-6187.
    Lakota Funds technical assistance and courses are free to entrepreneurs like Leonard and Debra here on the reservation. The free classes offered: Core Four Business Planning, Financial Literacy, and Homebuyers Training just to name a few. Wawokiye Business Institute also has small business success coaches who assist future business owners with resources and technical assistance.
    Lakota Funds provides services in five areas: technical assistance, financial literacy, housing, financial capital and market access. Lakota Funds makes micro loans up to $5000, small business up to $25,000, and business expansion loans up to $200,000. The last two categories require the Core Four Course and/or three years of successful business experience. Anyone wanting to start or build a business on the reservation can attend Lakota Funds upcoming meetings/trainings:
    Pioneer Credit Counseling Friday May 16, 2008 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Lakota Funds Trade Center Kyle,
    Basic Accounting/Bookkeeping Training will be offered Saturday May 17, 2008 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Lakota Funds Trade Center Kyle.
    Free Artist Business Skills Workshop will be Monday May 19 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Lakota Funds Trade Center Kyle, SD pre-register contact David White Bull at Lakota Funds 455-2500 or email dwhitebull@lakotafunds.org.
     


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    Anpo (center) and David Charging Thunder flanked by their children Katyn, Quanah, Douglas, Gaberial, Joey, and Allyssa. Charging Thunder will be doing her residency at Omaha, Neb. and eventually plans to return to Gordon or the Nebraska panhandle to work as a physician.
    Anpo (center) and David Charging Thunder flanked by their children Katyn, Quanah, Douglas, Gaberial, Joey, and Allyssa. Charging Thunder will be doing her residency at Omaha, Neb. and eventually plans to return to Gordon or the Nebraska panhandle to work as a physician.
    OMAHA, NEB. - Anpo Charging Thunder's passion to care for people as a physician led her to the University of Nebraska Medical Center Rural Health Opportunities Program. The mother of six, she had five children before she even entered medical school.
    UNMC is a national leader in rural programs to help alleviate the rural health shortage. Fifteen years ago it founded RHOP, a collaboration between Chadron State College, Wayne State College and UNMC.
    Students applying for RHOP are considered on three criteria: their academic potential, residency in a rural Nebraska community and their commitment to practice in a rural community upon graduation.
    Those students accepted are pre-admitted to the UNMC College of Medicine. Charging Thunder, a member of the Oglala Sioux tribe, heard about the RHOP from her mother when she was a senior in high school. She enrolled at Chadron State College in the fall of 2000, eight years after she dropped out of high school.
    "I had good grades, but I was going to have to repeat a year due to absences, she said. She received her GED and began tutoring at Gordon High School in Nebraska. Four years later she became a certified nurse assistant at Gordon Memorial Hospital where she worked at the desk and as an obstetrics technician.
    To pursue her undergraduate degree, Charging Thunder drove 100 miles to and from school Monday through Friday.
    During this time she also continued at the hospital by working two to three evenings a week. It was during the dead hours when Charging Thunder was able to study.
    "It took me eight years to get to this point," Charging Thunder said. She had a full schedule with her family and school and kept it balanced with support from her family and her husband.
    She said she seen first hand when she worked at the Gordon hospital on the health of people. "I felt there could be improvements and if I entered the health care field I can make a difference," she said. After this program I plan to go back to home, we don't' have a lot of family on this side of the state, Gordon or somewhere in the Nebraska panhandle.
    Her encouraging words to students who want to be doctors are, "No matter what happens in your lifetime, keep their eye on the ball, even though you may get thrown some curved balls, keep your focus, eventually it will work out," she said.
    One of her visions is to have a traveling clinic, which would make it easier for rural people to get health care because of the distance factor.
    According to the American Medical Association, more than 35 million people live in underserved areas, and inner cities and rural areas suffer the most dire shortages. It would require 16,000 physicians to immediately alleviate the shortage of doctors in those areas. One government estimate indicates the U.S. could require as many as 24,000 physicians in 2020 to fill the shortage.
    On May 2, Anpo graduated from UNMC's College of Medicine.
    Through the Accelerated Family Medicine Training Program she began her residency program in Omaha this past year. When finished, she plans to move back to rural panhandle Nebraska with her family, where she'll practice and be closer to her extended family of grandparents and relatives. Anpo's parents are Tillo Herrera and Carol Iron Rope-Herrera. Tillo is from Minitera, Neb. Carol is from Martin, S.D. Anpo's husband David is from Gordon, Neb.
    Health care in Nebraska is really a "big issue," says Charging Thunder. "In almost every community there is a shortage… this is why the RHOP program is so important to Nebraska," she says.
    The program is really a commitment to the quality of health care rural Nebraska residents receive, she says.
    "I've been very satisfied with the program," said Charging Thunder. It provides an excellent financial aid package that makes the tuition affordable, she says.
    To date, 290 RHOP students have graduated and 188 are currently enrolled and attending Chadron, Wayne State or UNMC. Almost 60 percent of graduates are practicing in Nebraska rural communities and 10 percent are practicing in rural communities in other states.
     


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