Pine Ridge

I, Richard SparrowEagle, am a Traditional Spiritual Leader and newly elected Chief of the Standing Buffalo Band of the Lakota People. My leadership has been handed down to me through my grandfathers and by the will of the people.

I carry a vision of the Medicine Wheel. This vision is on for all the nations united. A vision of Unity for all of the 12 nations of this

earth, under one God - one Creator. This vision has come in many similar ways to the leaders of my people for many generations, even before Columbus. My vision is to teach this Medicine Wheel to all Nations of the Four Corners of the Earth. To bring Peace and Harmony into our life today.

My brother David Swallow is a traditional medicine man who has lead this ceremony for this time. This Sundance takes place on my fathers land in Porcupine, Pine Ridge, S. Dakota. That is the prison camp called a "reservation" that my people are forced to live on by the Government.

Last year, in 1997, our Sundance was invaded on the first day of the ceremony by armed ATF, FBI, BIA tribal police, and others who stand against the Medicine Wheel. They produced falsified documents and ill will. They stormed our camp with direct intention of inciting a riot and attempting to break the prayers of the people.

They, however, tried to arrest me with a false warrant and if not for the support of my people would have beaten me or even taken my life. But we worked through all of this with prayers through the will of Tungasila Ate Wakan Tanka (which means the Trinity of GOD) we continued with our ceremony.

All the while the BIA were flying helicopters over us and other families of native ways who do not recognize the Medicine Wheel, gave us much resistance in every way they could, psychologically, emotionally, physically and spiritually. They harassed us on all fronts, even outside the ceremony in our local townships.

These people, some of whom represent and have influence over the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council, have formulated an ordinance to prohibit our constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion. It is called Ordinance No. 98-25. This document is enclosed in this e-mail. Please note that this ordinance goes to the extremes of pro-hibiting non-natives from caring or having in their possession sage, cedar, pine boughs, sweetgrass, etc.

This ordinance was signed on the 24th of July and received by the Pine Ridge Agency on the 28th day of July, by the Tribal Council, who by the way have chosen to conveniently leave the state at this time, leaving their people hanging.

As it stands today, many of my people, including myself are being threatened directly, with statements of physical violence if we continue with our Sacred Ceremony. We do not want a repeat of what happened last year. We want only to have a peaceful ceremony to pray as we pray and live as we have chosen to live on our family's land. That is the fulfillment of our vision and the will of our Creator.

I, Richard SparrowEagle, am sending this message out to all as a plea for assistance and support, and to bring awareness that the constitution once again is bring shredded and disregarded. We urgently need your prayers and attention from all nations and all people who stand to defend freedom in this country. AND WE NEED IT TODAY! Our ceremony begins today Aug. 4, 1998 and continues through to Aug. 8, 1998.

Please support us in any way that you can. Our ceremonial grounds are isolated from most cell phones and outside contact. However, we have established contact personnel. The people must know outside in the world everywhere.

Oglala Sioux Tribal Office at 605-867-5821, ask for Theresa TwoBulls, fax number 605-876-1004 or Milo Yellow Hair, vice-president at same number.

ORDINANCE OF THE OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE PROHIBITING POSSESSION OF WILD ANIMAL, BIRD AND/OR PLANT PARTS USED BY MEMBERS OF THE OGLALA SIOUX TRIBAL FOR TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS PURPOSES BY NON-MEMBERS OF ANY FEDERAL RECOGNIZED INDIAN TRIBE AND ANY NON-INDIAN.

WHEREAS, the Oglala Sioux Tribe has the inherent right to the free exercise of their traditional Lakota religious practices, and

WHEREAS, such right is also affirmed by the United States Constitution in the Bill of Rights, as well as the 1968 Indian Civil Rights Act and Native American Free Exercise of Religion Act of 1993, and

WHEREAS, there are presently a number of self-proclaimed medicine men exploiting the Lakota religion and spirituality by allowing non-Indians to participate, for a monetary fee, in the observance of traditional Lakota religious ceremonies, including the possession of plant, animal and bird feathers and parts, and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Oglala Sioux Tribe to eliminate the sale and exploitation of the Teton Sioux Religion and spirituality for profit, and

WHEREAS, the elimination of the sale of religion and spirituality may be best addressed by the adoption of an Ordinance identify such sale and exploitation a criminal offense, now THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED, that the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council does hereby adopt the following Ordinance outlawing the sale or possession of Wild Animal, Bird and/or Plant parts, including, but not limited to feathers, hides, or skins, sweet grass or sage for use by non-Indians for traditional religious purposes.

No person other than enrolled members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, non-enrolled members of the Oglala Sioux tribe whose application for enrollment is on file with the Oglala Sioux Tribe Enrollment Office, or enrolled members of any other federally recognized tribe shall possess or have in their possession, sells, gives away, disposes of, exchanges or barter any animal, bird and/or plant parts including but not limited to, bones of any bird, talons of any bird, animal hides, animal bones, animal teeth, sweet grass, sage, cherry branches and pipe boughs.

In any event of violation of this ordinance any officer of the Oglala Sioux Public Safety Department or Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority is authorized to confiscate such bird, animal or animal part.

Any person who has property confiscated as the result of a violation of this ordinance may petition the Oglala Sioux Tribal Cultural Committee for return of such property.

I, as undersigned Secretary of the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council, hereby certify that this Ordinance was adopted by the vote of: 14 for; 0 against, 0 abstain, and 0 not voting, during a REGULAR SESSION held on the 24th day of JULY, 1998.

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