Sioux concerned as sacred site hits the auction block
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — It’s advertised as a one-of-a-kind deal: Almost 2,000 acres of prime real estate nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota for sale to the highest bidder.
But the offer to sell the land near Mount Rushmore and historic Deadwood has distressed Indian tribes that consider it a sacred site. Although the land has been privately owned, members of the Great Sioux Nation — known as Lakota, Dakota and Nakota — have been allowed to gather there each year to perform ceremonial rituals they believe are necessary for harmony, health and well-being.
Members now fear that if the property they call Pe’ Sla is sold, it will be developed and they will lose access. The South Dakota Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration are studying the possibility of paving one of the main roads that divides the land, a fact mentioned in the advertisement touting its development potential.
The tribes have banded together to try to raise money to buy back as much of the land as they can. But with less than a week to go until Saturday’s auction, they have only about $110,000 committed for property they believe will sell for $6 million to $10 million.
“A lot of our people who practice our way of life go there to pray,” said Rodney Bordeaux, president of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, which is leading the effort. “Basically, it’s an opportunity for the tribes to become involved and save Pe’ Sla from development.”
The tribes believe the Sioux people were created from the Black Hills, and part of their spiritual tradition says Pe’ Sla is where the Morning Star fell to Earth, killing seven beings that killed seven women. The Morning Star placed the souls of the women into the night sky as the Seven Sisters, also known as the Pleiades constellation.
The land — 1,942 acres of pristine prairie grass — is owned by Leonard and Margaret Reynolds, who would not comment on the sale. Chase Iron Eyes, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said they should be commended for how well they have preserved the land and for giving the tribes access.