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This column is
regarding a decision by commissioners in South Dakota's Meade County
to approve the alcohol application of Jay Allen, who proposes to
build a large bar, htmlhalt parking lot and amphitheater near Bear Butte.
Bear Butte is a
sacred mountain to our Lakota people, as well as many other Native
nations. We pray there, learn there, and receive healing there. Bear
Butte is our church, school, and hospital.
While some people
may believe that since there is no development actually on the
mountain, it is fine to build nearby. However, elected officials such
as the commissioners have a responsibility not only to the people who
vote candidates into office, but to people everywhere who depend on
the judgment of officials to take care of social responsibility.
There are laws in place all over the United States protecting the
integrity of churches, schools and hospitals. The commissioners have
the power to demand by example that all people, businesses,
organizations and governments show their respect for a sacred
mountain by voting "No" to Allen's application. This is a
great responsibility that the commissioners have.
Lakota People,
like everyone else, have the inalienable human right to pray at
sacred places. This right is denied when the decision-makers approve
of action, which in essence, sanctions the desecration of sacred
places. Opponents of the bar hoped that the commissioners would
consider the future when making decisions, thinking of the coming
generations of not only Lakota people, but also all Meade County
residents, including their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bear Butte is a
sacred place, it is a national historic site, it is a state park, and
the nearby Bear Butte Lake is a National Wildlife Refuge. With such
designations, the commissioners had all these good reasons to vote in
such a manner as to protect and preserve Bear Butte for the people of
today and generations to come.
Many of us
attending the April hearing urged the commissioners to take courage
and vote for the environment, creation, and the coming generations.
We urged them to stand against the powerful raging money machine that
often drives small towns into making disastrous, regrettable
decisions. As elected officials, the commissioners must be aware that
the decision to allow Allen the one tool he needs to make a profit
from his endeavor will result in great suffering for the people who
need and cherish Bear Butte, as well as environmentalists who respect
Bear Butte for the special place that it is.
Aren't the 60 bars
already in the area enough_
Lakota people
could have celebrated a decision to protect and preserve the sacred
mountain. That was not to be, and the commissioners approved Allen's
alcohol-license application. The power was there for the commission
to enact an honorable decision, yet without any discussion, the vote
was unanimous to approve
Our work is not
done; we will continue to resist the desecration of Bear Butte. We
will continue to make a stand for our right to pray for our sacred
mountain when we camp there with other tribes and our supporters
beginning on the Fourth of July.
NTN Article#: 7858
NOTE: In
accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is
distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a
prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research
and educational purposes only.
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