Honor the Treaties: Support the Sacred Ȟe Sápa ​Restoration Act

US Congress, US Senate

ACTION ALERT: Calling all matriarchs, youth, stakeholders, Očhéthi Šakówiŋ tiospaye’s, believers, tribal council people, water protectors, and supporters of the Return of the Black Hills. #Landback #HonorTheTreaties

BACKGROUND

The sacred land of the Ȟe Sápa (Black Hills) have always been home to the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ** and is the spiritual center for our people. The Black Hills are central to our identity and traditions. The lands are guaranteed to us by Natural Law and the Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868, which recognized our inherent sovereignty to these lands. In violation of our rights, they were unjustly taken from us. This ongoing injustice has deeply affected our communities, the land, and hindered our ability to fully exercise our cultural and spiritual practices.

The Black Hills were unlawfully taken by the Act of February 28, 1877, part of the "Sign or Starve" policy that forced Tribes to give up treaty rights, despite not meeting the ¾ Males requirement of the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Sioux Nation vs. U.S., acknowledged this injustice, stating, "A more ripe and rank case of dishonorable dealings will never, in all probability, be found in our history.”

What is the Sacred Ȟe Sápa Restoration Act?

The Sacred Ȟe Sápa Restoration Act is a proposed law that aims to recognize the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ's control over their traditional lands and return the sacred Ȟe Sápa (Black Hills) to them. The law explains how the U.S. government will give back the lands and ensure they are protected and managed by the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ. You can read the Sacred He Sapa Restoration Act here.

The proposed legislation represents a crucial step towards rectifying this historical wrong and honoring the sovereignty and rights of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ. By returning the Black Hills, we can preserve our sacred sites, support cultural revitalization, restore our lands, and strengthen our community's well-being and sovereignty.

The goal of this petition is to demonstrate and garner support for the Sacred Ȟe Sápa Restoration Act. We encourage all tribal, treaty council, and spiritual leaders to support this effort.

For questions please contact the Education and Outreach Committee: educationoutreach24@gmail.com

**Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Očhéthi Šakówiŋ Oyáte) refers to the seven member nations (Council Fires) of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ Oyáte confederation: the Mdewakanton (Bdewákaŋthuŋwaŋ), the Wahpeton (Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ), the Wahpekute (Waȟpékhute), the Sisseton (Sisíthuŋwaŋ), the Yankton (Iháŋkthuŋwaŋ), the Yanktonai (Iháŋkthuŋwaŋna), and the Teton or Lakota (Thítȟuŋwaŋ / Lakȟóta). The Očhéthi Šakówiŋ was misnamed and referred to as "The Great Sioux Nation" in the Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868.

Sign the petition today to let the U.S. Senate and Congress know we will not stop fighting for the Return of the Black Hills. Honor The treaties! We are all not free until the land is free. #Landback


ADDITIONAL WAYS TO TAKE ACTION:

1. Sign this letter of support and encourage other matriarchs, tiospayes, and stakeholders to sign too.

2. Press your Tribes to pass resolutions in support of the idea of legislation to return the Ȟe Sápa - Sacred Ȟe Sápa Restoration Act.

3. When you travel to the sacred sites in the Ȟe Sápa, take offerings and pray for the return of the Black Hills.

4. Request that the traditional Treaty Councils and decision making bodies give written letters of support for the Sacred Ȟe Sápa Restoration Act.

5. Educate yourself on the issue so you can educate others: 1) Read the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty and 2) Watch the Emmy award winning film Lakota Nation vs. United States

6. Host/Attend a teach-in educating your community about the Sacred Ȟe Sápa Restoration Act. Public meetings and teach-ins are great ways to learn more and support the return of the Black Hills to the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ. For more information please contact the Education and Outreach Committee: educationoutreach24@gmail.com


To: US Congress, US Senate
From: [Your Name]

I write to you today to urge you to support the Sacred Ȟe Sápa Restoration Act and demand that the Black Hills be returned to the the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ.

I support getting the Black Hills back. As a Lakota I support the efforts led by the Black Hills Sioux Nation Council to draft and pass legislation that will.

This sacred land, Ȟe Sápa, has always been our home and is the spiritual center for our people. The Black Hills are central to our identity and traditions. These lands are guaranteed to us by natural Law and the Fort Laramie Treaties of 1851 and 1868, which recognized our inherent sovereignty to these lands. In violation of our rights they were unjustly taken from us. This ongoing injustice has deeply affected our communities and hindered our ability to fully exercise our cultural and spiritual practices.

The Black Hills were unlawfully taken by the Act of February 28, 1877, part of the "Sign or Starve" policy that forced Tribes to give up treaty rights, despite not meeting the ¾ Males requirement of the 1868 Ft. Laramie Treaty. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Sioux Nation vs. U.S., acknowledged this injustice, stating, "A more ripe and rank case of dishonorable dealings will never, in all probability, be found in our history.”

The proposed legislation represents a crucial step towards rectifying this historical wrong and honoring the sovereignty and rights of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ. By returning the Black Hills, we can preserve our sacred sites, support cultural revitalization, and strengthen our community's well-being and sovereignty.

#Landback