Maka Si Tomni invites you to participate and share in the largest gathering of 1st Nations People on Greasy Grass, Little Big Horn National Monument, Montana June 19 - 26, 2008. This Lakota/Northern Cheyenne Victory Celebration is a spiritual sobriety ride, 80% youth participation, that is focused on celebrating the spiritual experience of their ancestors at the Greasy Grass Battle, a cultural and historical learning experience, and a joyful expression of prayers, drumming, singing and dancing! All the riders in all the bands of the Lakota Nation/Northern Cheyenne are invited to participate in this history-making Sovereignty-In-Action Ride: Elders, Walkers, Runners, and Bikers can join in the gathering.

You can participate and support this event in following ways:

•Make a donation to support the ride and receive the just released “Lakota Ride Again” DVD introducing the Lakota Paradigm: Language, Culture, Leadership conversation in critical thinking regarding the past, present, future relevance of the Lakota viewpoint within the global sustainability conversation. The DVD shares Sovereignty-in-Action of two recent rides: a video of the 2007 Crazy Horse Veteran Ride from Ft. Robinson to Pine Ridge celebrating the great mythic warrior Chief Crazy Horse; a Slide Show (2006-2007) of the Little Big Horn Ride in Montana, including the “Lakota Charging” CD by Oglala Lakota Chief Wilmer “Stampede” Mesteth, the sacred songs and narrative of actual battle. Testimonials on the DVD provide an introduction into the victory celebration planned on June 25, 2008 and the importance of language in Lakota sovereignty and cultural identity today. The DVD provides an excellent opportunity to begin a learning process individually or within an educational community.
•Sponsor a Rider in the Little Big Horn Victory Celebration by donating $300 to fund the gas, food, filming and infrastructure for the event. You or your organization receive the “Lakota Ride Again” DVD and can build a direct relationship with a rider. At the completion of the ride you receive the final “sponsor cut of the Lakota Ride Again documentary” with a message of appreciation from your sponsored rider. Maka Si Tomni is committed to building the bridge of friendship that is a primary Lakota virtue.
•Sponsorship of the Event: Maka Si Tomni is inviting organizations committed to indigenous people, social justice and human rights, and sustainability to be sponsors for this event with a minimum donation of $1,000 per organization. The primary intention of this event is demonstrate “Peace through Unity.” Sponsors are greatly appreciated and are invited to participate in the long-term on an Advisory Council.
•Volunteer Services & Resources: Maka Si Tomni is coordinating an Earth based protocol of leaving no-trace-left-behind in this event and need volunteers to support the following: public relations, media control, transportation, EMT’s, Veterinarians, Ferrier’s, working ranch hands, kitchen and food preparation, clean-up and professional filming assistance in Maka Si Tomni Productions of “Lakota Ride Again.” If you are interested in supporting this event as a volunteer or with in-kind services please submit an application.
Thank you for your time and attention in this regard and may your community join us on June 25th 2008 in a victory celebration of our humanity and the notion of “Peace through Unity” in bringing forth a thriving new world together!

Background History of Event:

The Patriarchal culture of western civilization (colonialism; distinctions of exclusion and appropriation) intersected this Lakota Nation in the 1800’s and the Lakota People mounted a defense as brilliant warriors, and signed the first Ft. Laramie Treaty with the United States government in 1851. The 1st Nations included in this original treaty were Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Shoshone, Assiniboine, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara nations. The U.S. government promised control of the Great Plains that was the bulk of Native American territory, for "as long as the river flows and the eagle flies".

In 1868, the U.S government signed a second treaty to end Chief Red Clouds Plains Indian War with the Yanktonai Sioux, Santee Sioux, and Arapaho guaranteeing to the Lakota ownership of the Black Hills, and further land and hunting rights in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. The Powder River Country was to be henceforth closed to all whites.

Eight years latter after the conclusion of the Civil War, the centennial anniversary of the U.S., in 1876, the U.S. 7th Calvary led by General Armstrong Custer, attacked Chief Sitting Bull’s spiritual camp on the Little Big Horn River, and Crazy Horse won an eternal victory for 1st nation people on Greasy Grass, the Little Big Horn battlefield in Montana. The victory also sealed the end to the Lakota People’s freedom to practice a way of living. The U.S. 7th Calvary harassed the Lakota Nation for the next 14 years and concluded the colonial conquering of this 1st Nation People at the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890 where over 300 Lakota People were killed.

For 97 years the U.S. government prohibited the Lakota People from freely practicing their spiritual way of life. The Lakota People were chastised for speaking their language in the educational process forced upon them. Yet, they resisted the demand-for-obedience, have never giving up, never will and to this day the language and spiritual practices survive. The Lakota People have endured the oppression of government, religion and education indoctrinations while simultaneously preserving this priceless language of the heart, a remarkable achievement in the midst modernity.

Maka Si Tomni is an open inclusive Lakota Council committed to friendship and a thriving Lakota language & culture in modernity. Current participating council members are: Mel Lone Hill, Wilmer Mesteth, Charles "Bamm" Brewer, Tony Brave, Darrell Mesteth, Jhon Goes In Center, and Danny Carlson.

Wikipedia References:

Little Big Horn National Monument:
http://www.nps.gov/libi
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Bighorn_Battlefield_National_Monument

Ft. Laramie Treaty 1851: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Laramie_Treaty_(1851)
The Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851 was signed on September 17 between United States treaty commissioners and representatives of the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Shoshone, Assiniboine, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara nations. The U.S. government promised control of the Great Plains which was the bulk of Native American territory, for "as long as the river flows and the eagle flies". The Indians guaranteed safe passage for settlers on the Oregon Trail in return for promises of an annuity in the amount of fifty thousand dollars for fifty years. The Native American nations also allowed roads and forts to be built in their territories. The United States Senate ratified the treaty, adding Article 7, to adjust compensation from fifty to ten years, if the tribes accepted the changes. Acceptance from all tribes, with the exception of the Crows, was procured. Several tribes never received the commodities promised as payments. The treaty produced a brief period of peace.

Ft. Laramie Treaty 1868: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Fort_Laramie_(1868)

Map of Treaty Lands: http://www.dickshovel.com/1868.html

Little Big Horn Battle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Little_Bighorn

Wounded Knee Massacre: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wounded_Knee_Massacre