The Stronghold

[D_E_Bishop]

Has anyone been to the Stronghold in the Badlands? I know and respect the significance and spiritual meaning to the Sioux(Lakota) people. In William S. E Coleman's book he tells how some Sioux moved to the Stronghold just prior to the massacre at Wounded Knee and how they loved it. The survivors spoke of the abundance and safety there and why they finally and in my opinion unwisely left the Stronghold to talk with the BIA agent and the Commander of the 7th Calvery.

I would like to visit there but would never try to find it on my own and I do not know how or where to start to obtain permission from the Sioux Elders. I know that I must obtain wild tobacco and wild sage to give as gifts and that is easy but how does one show the sincerity of their motives and to whom?

[D_E_Bishop]

Thank you Francesca, I knew that the entire area is under park service control but little if anything I have found gives directions or information on visiting there.

A little background on my interest;

I am not of First Nations lineage nor am I trying to be, I do, however, have great empathy with the great losses that the FN people have suffered and continue to suffer today. There are many locations that while open to the general population are still sacred to the FN people. And I try and respect that and ask first.

Coleman's book is a wonderful notation on what happened toward the end of the Indian Wars. His notations were about what happened at that time from three different perspectives, that of the Federal Government(Congress, BIA and US Army), the Settlers and traders and the Sioux. He made no judgments as to validity of information or ideas and no judgment as to who was right and who was wrong. He has tried to present what he has learned in interviewing people and reading records of the era. He did not discuss what is happening today only documenting what happened yesterday.

Right or wrong I took what I read about the Stronghold to say that it is a scared place for the Sioux and, therefore, should be respected. Once again thank you for your reply.

[Francesca_Knowl]

:h

Dunno what impression you received from the book you just read, but that's hardly a restricted (or even hard to find) area. It's managed by the U.S. Park Service, by agreement with the Tribe. Certainly one must act with the same respect as when visiting any other such preserved lands, but aside from the usual rules of conduct there aren't any special customs or restrictions governing your access to them. Some information available here.

If you want some sort of conversation with the Tribe itself as to what if any ceremonial rites they'd like to see observed I suggest that contact them here.Link to Tribe's Website