Message from Faith Spotted Eagle:
Please check out the trailer for the broadcast on Tuesday, July 10, at 9 pm CST for interviews on Yankton and Pine Ridge for positive things we are doing. I am praying that it will be culturally relevant. They came to film our Brave Heart work during the First Kill Coming of Age ceremony for our young men. It was conducted by my son Kip Spotted Eagle Collins. You can repost the trailer, it is from the OWN page, Oprah Winfrey. Thanks.
Published on
Jul 5, 2012 by
OWN
Native American stereotypes are alive and well: extreme poverty, high teen suicide rates, and alcoholism. We meet the people who are seeking both modern and traditional solutions to give the next generation a fighting chance at a brighter future
Tune in Tuesday, July 10th at 10/9c for this all new episode of Our America on "Life on the Rez."
For more on Our America with Lisa Ling, visit
http://www.oprah.com/OurAmerica
13TH ANNUAL OGLALA COMMEMORATION
 |
Honoring Leonard Peltier/Photo Oglala Commemoration
Published with permission at Censored News |
Article and photos by Oglala Commemoration
June 26, 2012 - Oglala, South Dakota
The day began as usual, meeting up at the Little Family Cemetery. Greetings
were once again exchanged, and it was good to see many new faces in the crowd.
The turnout was great. Billy Good Voice Elk said prayers with Elk Nation
singing the Honor Songs. Shortly afterwards, the Walk began. The temps were
soaring into the triple digits, 107 to be exact, and thanks to many that braved
the heat and completed the walk. Many Children joined us this year, which was a
welcome sight as they are our future. Water was in much demand, as we went
through 10 cases on this hot day. Many thanks to the security crew and those
who led the walkers through the highway traffic in safety.
 |
Russell and Bill Means
Photo Oglala Commemoration |
We arrived at the Jumping
Bull property to tables full of food waiting be to served. There were many
things on the agenda this year. The Oglala Commemoration Committee was
presenting the Memorial Marker to mark this time in history and the incident
that happened at this property on this date in 1975. In remembrance of Leonard
Peltier and the loss of Joe KillsRights Stuntz. We also had a memorial to those
who walked on this past year and the Jumping Bull family honored Russell Means,
with the Oglala Souix Tribe issuing a proclamation for his activism throughout
his years. Pilar Robideau, (widow of late Bob Robideau) joined us from Spain,
she carried his banner in remembrance, accompanied by Bob's family from SD.
Beau Little Sky's harley was seen as it had been so many times, leading the
walk with family close by. The Black Elk family including Vice President Tom Poor Bear
spoke in honor of Loren Black Elk (co-founder) of Camp Justice. We lost many
warriors this past year. We greatly missed Loren and Beau, who had been with us
every year. may their spirits soar. The Jumping Bull family presented Russell
Means with the proclamation from the tribe; he was also honored with kind words
and gifts. Leonard's words of hope and encouragement were shared with everyone.
 |
In memory Bob Robideau
Photo Oglala Commemoration |
The meal and cakes were served, as we ended with the giveaway of filled
backpacks and toys given to the children. We would like to thank everyone in
the community for bringing out the delicious food, there was more than enough
for everyone.
The Youth Awareness
Concert got underway around 6 pm at the Lakota Dome, featuring many different
styles of music. It was great to welcome back longtime friend of the
Commemoration, Mr. Julian B (Muscogee Nation). Local greats and friends,
SpyderZback, Scatter Their Own, Brett Hamilton band featuring Monty and Robert
Briggs, Arrowspace. And newcomers
Cranston, 4Bidden Sience and the heavy metal rockers Terrible Thunder Lizards.
Words were also shared by the LP- Human Rights Walk leaders, and SD State Rep.
Kevin Killer. Emcee’s by JD Nash.
A great meal was served at the concert by the LP-Support RC and AIM Grassroots
members. Thanks to all for your hard work.
Jean Roach, Belva and Jesse Janis, Gloria Reyes, Doris Respects Nothing, Dee
Dee Merrival, Henry & John Red Cloud, Robert Quick Bear, Matilda Red Shirt,
Arlene Hopkins and Juanita Lucio.
With deep regrets, Micki Free had to cancel due to a family emergency, but we
rocked way into the midnight hours.
To complement the newly
installed skate park in Pine Ridge, throughout our visit, the Committee handed out
to many children and teens new skateboards so that no one would be without a
board of their own. It was truly amazing to watch these children as young as 6
years old shooting the bowl. These children are amazing in their talents and
tenacity.
 |
Photo Oglala Commemoration |
Overall it was a successful event, one that went by to quickly once again. But
we have many to thank. As many well know, the Committee works all year on fund
raising and arranging this event. At our own expenses, Committee members travel
to powwows and events throughout the U.S. The Committee as well manages an
online auction site of donated items to raise funds for this event. With this
said, we still cannot do this alone, our thanks go out to the following
families of the rez, Jumping Bull, Little, Black Elk, Janis, Good Voice Elk,
Cedar Face. We would also like to thank Tom and Carla Cheyenne, Cuny Dog,
Eileen Janis, and Robert Watters for their hard work, and AIM-S.Texas for
their contribution and The Sioux Funeral Home for their help in getting the
Memorial Marker finished in time. Vice President Tom Poor Bear, The Prairie Winds Casino
management, Kevin Lean and Amy Sherman, who donated the use of the Dome. . KILI
radio for their on-air time. Oglala Lakota College Financial Aid office for
handling the Scholarship. And Rez West Production for sound. This year's
Peltier Scholarship was awarded to Terry Featherman of Kyle.
Last but not least, we
would like to thank the following for allowing us to set up; The Native
American Indian Students at the University of California- Irvine, Native Hope
International (Pasadena, Calif.) Sherman Indian School (Riverside, Calif.) Westwood HS
(Mesa, Ariz.), Central HS ( Phoenix, Ariz.) Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe (Mayetta, Kansas) , Iowa Tribe (Whitecloud, Kansas) Midwest Soaring (Naperville, Illinois) White Buffalo
(Litchfield, Illinois) Peoples Powwow (Columbia, MO.)
Our heartfelt thanks to our longtime and generous auction supporters. The
Parchcorn Family, Bill Butler, Karen Doris Wright, Renee Barlett and Alan
Grimsley. Jennifer Lehmann, Pilar Robideau, Leonard Peltier, LP-DOC, TLK
Gallery, KOLA, Brian & Nancy Hall, Pendleton Outlet-Nebraska City and
Branson, Wahwassuck Family, Vivenne Westwood, Indigenous, NAICCO, Wal-mart-
Chadron, Economy 9 - Chadron, Cakes and Etc- Chadron, Aarvardark Nation.
Our Security Crew this year, Kendal and Ahliyah Brought Plenty, Elgin Young
Bear, Ylene and Terry Two Lance, Trudy New Holy, Hattie He Crow, Paula
Wahwassuck Jamie Goings, Charles Poor Bear. Our sincere apologies go out to
anyone we may have inadvertently missed. Thank you all for another great year
and look forward to the 14th Annual.
Censored News copyright
All content at Censored News is copyrighted by the creator of the work, and may not be used for any reason without written permission. This includes news, books, films, dissertations, grants, reports, pamphlets, and any other purpose.