Riders reach their goal

WOUNDED KNEE — The Big Foot Memorial riders put a day of controversy behind them and proceeded in unity into Wounded Knee on Friday afternoon.

About 300 people rode horses, walked and ran the final 20 miles of this 250-mile journey in subzero temperatures. The snow whipping winds dropped the windchill to more than 50 degrees below zero during much of Friday’s ride.

But neither the weather nor the threat of division within the ranks deterred this group.

As they assembled their horses in a circle at the site of the massacre here 100 years ago today, they prayed for peace not only within their Sioux Nation but also throughout the world.

“Today, we pray for peace and unity and we look at it as global, because the whole world needs it,” said Arvol Looking Horse, the tribe’s spiritual leader.

Activities marking the 100th anniversary of the massacre are scheduled throughout the day today. About 9 a.m. the riders will circle the cemetery atop the hill overlooking the massacre site.

Several sacred ceremonies will be conducted, including the Feeding of the Spirits, in which the riders make an offering to their creator.

A series of speeches will be given by tribal and state officials. Gov. George Mickelson is among those expected to address the group.

And in Kyle on Friday night, many of the
rider were to participate in a controversial Wiping of the Tears ceremony.

That ceremony, a traditional Lakota rite, symbolizes the end of a mourning period. Some riders feel that because of the nature of the slayings at Wounded Knee, the ceremony should not be held.

On Thursday, a group of them, led by former American Indian Movement leaders Russell Means and Dennis Banks, talked about boycotting the ceremony. Alex White Plume, a ride organizer acknowledges Friday evening that some riders may not participate in the ceremony.

“I know this has become real political, and we don’t want you to come unless you want to,” White Plume told them.

But ride organizers Friday pledges to follow through with their plans.

“This doesn’t mean we forget what happened 100 years ago,” said Birgil Kills Straight, one of the original 19 riders who began the annual journey five years ago. “But we as educators will rewrite history the way we were told by our grandparents.”

Kill Straight said the Wiping of the Tears ceremony symbolizes the “turning of the page … it’s something we must go through.”

During testimonials Friday night at the Wounded Knee District School in
Mandeson, participants honored this year’s youngest rider, 8-year-old Little Josh.

“I did it for the people, and I did it for Iraq,” said Little Josh of Eagle Butte, who did not give his last name.

To honor him, riders tied a single eagle feather in his hair.

“I’m going to hang it up in my room. It means I’m a good rider and I’m doing good stuff.”

“Mending of the Sacred Hoop”

1890-1990

As reported in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Dec 29, 1890:

IN THE SADDLE

Gen. Miles, the Gory Indian Fighter, Starts for the Redskins.

He Has a Body Guard of Savage Sioux and Sixty Cavalry.

RAPID CITY, Dec. 29. - Gen. Miles will be in the saddle after today. He will start this afternoon for Pine Ridge agency going through the Bad Lands with an escort of Sioux Indians and sixty
cavalry.