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El Laberinto, 1971-1987

[image of flying eagle]

BLACK HILLS

PAHA SAPA

The Black Hills - or Paha Sapa as it is called by the Lakota people - is one of the oldest geological formations in the Western Hemisphere. The hills are considered the "basis" of the Great Plains, where fresh water, lush vegetation and incredible natural beauty abound. The Lakota people have considered the Paha Sapa sacred - the center of their nation - for as long as the people can remember. The significance of the land to the native people has resulted in struggle for over 100 years to protect the land for the future generations. As native people say, "It is not the land which belongs to the people, it is the people who belong to the land."

1858- Warren expedition, a military survey team enters the Paha Sapa, the first non-Natives to do so.
1868 - Lakota nation forces the United States to sign the Fort Laramie Treaty. United States cannot afford any more losses on the Bozeman Trail. The treaty guarantees the greater part of five states to the Lakota nation, in the center of which is the Black Hills.
1872 - US passes the 1872 Mining Act - applying to lands in federal domain. Act states that, for a small filing fee, an unlimited number of claims may be filed by prospectors. Claimant must prove at least $100 worth of work to the area annually and after five years, may file for a patent. If granted, the patent transfers the land from public to private property.
1874 - General George Armstrong Custer leads a military expedition into the Black Hills, Custer "rediscovers" what the Warren expedition had found - gold. President Grant is told of the gold discovery which attracts national press attention.
1875 - President Grant sends the Allison Commission to negotiate with the Lakota nation. After four months of unsuccessful discussion, the Commission leaves - its over of $5[6?] million for the land, rejected. In late 1875, President Grant orders the army not to enforce provision of the 1868 treaty prohibiting non-Indians from entering the Hills. Combination of the 1872 mining act and the public knowledge of the wealth of the Paha Sapa encourages many prospectors to enter the area.
1876 - Congress states that the Sioux will not receive any more treaty-guaranteed rations until they agree to sell the Black Hills. The Sioux call this the "sell or starve" option. On June 25, Lakota and their allies defeat General Custer at the Little Big Horn. Later in the year another commission comes to the Lakota nation. From sworn statements from those present, the following facts emerge. About one half of the nation is in the North on a hunting trip, thus representation of less than 10 percent of the people meet with the commission. An agreement was signed, understood as a lease on the land. Later that year, George Hearst purchases a prospecting claim in the Hills for $70,000 he has borrowed from his mother.
1877 - The United States passes the Black Hills Act, unilaterally transferring the Black Hills to the United States.
1888[78?] - George Hearst's claim is now worth $6 million. He adds processing equipment to the Homestake Gold Mine.
1887 - Dawes Act - the Indian Allotment Act is passed. The law applies to all reservations (except Pine Ridge until 1902) dividing the land into 160-acre individual allotments.
1889 - State of South Dakota created.
1890 - congress unilaterally reduces the Lakota reservations to six separate tracts. Homesteaders enter the region in greater numbers, seeking to make a living off the land. In late December, the US Cavalry destroys 300 men, women and children at the Wounded Knee Massacre.
1916 - After this year, mineral rights to homestead land are retained by the government.
1920 - US "gives permission" for the Lakota to file a court claim for land taken from them. Lakota are not told until after the case is filed that the claim is for money - instead of land - contrary to the wishes of the Lakota.
1934 - Indian Reorganization Act established "tribal council" government on the reservations. These governments are subject to the approval of the United States, undermining the authority of the traditional governments.
1942 - The Black Hills Claim Case is dismissed, along with 17 related claims, at approximately the same time.
1946 - Indian Claims Commission Act is passed, allowing monetary compensation for taken land, but no possible return of it. A claim is initiated again "on behalf" of the Lakota. Again,t he Lakota state that the land is not for sale.
1951 - Uranium is discovered near Edgemont by Jerry Brennan, a local lawyer.
1953 - Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) establishes a station near Edgemont to purchase ore produced in the area. ongoing uranium reconnaissance study continues under the AEC. Large resource bodies are found in Western South Dakota and the Williston Basin. Results of study are released to the energy industry. Ranching and tourism continue to be major state industries.
1971 - 'North Central Power Survey' outlines plans for thirteen 10,000 megawatt coal-fired power plants, along with coal and other resource mining and development. Homestake Mining Company obtains license to remove minerals (uranium) from 1,040 acres of state land in Custer and Fall River Counties, claim transferred to Westinghouse in '76.
1973 - Occupation of Wounded Knee - Lakotas reaffirm commitment to self-determination.
1974 - In August of 1974, mineral prospecting permits issued by the Commissioner of School and Public Lands cover 21,076,087 acres of state land.
1975 - A reconnaissance study is done of Pine Ridge and other reservations. A large uranium deposit is discovered in the Northwestern center of the reservation. On June 25, FBI ground forces attack a traditional camp at Oglala on Pine ridge. Two FBI agents and one native man are killed. The same day, Tribal Chairman Dick Wilson is conducting secret negotiations with the government for transfer of one-eighth of the reservation to the Federal Government. The area contains the uranium ore deposit.
1976 - US Bicentennial celebration
1977 - US offers the Lakota nation $17.5 million for the Black Hills as a claim settlement. The offer represents the value of the land in 1877. The offer is rejected; the land is not for sale. In April, Union Carbide announces it has located a significant uranium deposit in Craven Canyon, Black Hills National Forest.
1978 - Homestake Mining Company announces that gold production is over 50 percent of national annual output - over $1 billion has been removed to date. Homestake's profits have been used to finance the Hearst newspaper and mining empire and, most recently, ventures of United Nuclear - Homestake Partners, the third largest uranium reserve holding company.
'Engineering and Mining Journal' (Nov.) reports that there are over eight million pounds of uranium (worth nearly $800 billion) in South Dakota, mostly in the Black Hills.
1979 - January, Governor William Janklow abolishes the Department of Environmental Protection - both energy development and environmental protection are now under the same department. Some 25 corporations, holding claim to approximately one million acres, are known to be in this area. US offers the Lakota $105 million for the Black Hills; Again traditionals reject this offer. Pine Ridge reservation rejects in June; other Tribal councils still discussing. Offer reaffirms validity of Lakota claim; Lakota's maintain the land is not for sale.
A third generation S.D. rancher asks for consideration of the future: "If we allow these companies to destroy our land today, what will we say to our relations three generations from now?

'The Black Hills are sacred to the Lakota people.
The Black Hills is our church, the place where we worship.
The Black Hills is our burial ground, the bones of our grandfathers
lie buried in those hills. How can you expect us to sell our church
and our cemeteries for a few token whitemen dollars. We will never sell...'
-Frank Fools Crow, Lakota leader

7

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[image of flying eagle] BLACK HILLS PAHA SAPA The Black Hills - or Paha Sapa as it is called by the Lakota people - is one of the oldest geological formations in the Western Hemisphere. The hills are considered the "basis" of the Great Plains, where fresh water, lush vegetation and incredible natural beauty abound. The Lakota people have considered the Paha Sapa sacred - the center of their nation - for as long as the people can remember. The significance of the land to the native people has resulted in struggle for over 100 years to protect the land for the future generations. As native people say, "It is not the land which belongs to the people, it is the people who belong to the land." 1858- Warren expedition, a military survey team enters the Paha Sapa, the first non-Natives to do so. 1868 - Lakota nation forces the United States to sign the Fort Laramie Treaty. United States cannot afford any more losses on the Bozeman Trail. The treaty guarantees the greater part of five states to the Lakota nation, in the center of which is the Black Hills. 1872 - US passes the 1872 Mining Act - applying to lands in federal domain. Act states that, for a small filing fee, an unlimited number of claims may be filed by prospectors. Claimant must prove at least $100 worth of work to the area annually and after five years, may file for a patent. If granted, the patent transfers the land from public to private property. 1874 - General George Armstrong Custer leads a military expedition into the Black Hills, Custer "rediscovers" what the Warren expedition had found - gold. President Grant is told of the gold discovery which attracts national press attention. 1875 - President Grant sends the Allison Commission to negotiate with the Lakota nation. After four months of unsuccessful discussion, the Commission leaves - its over of $5[6?] million for the land, rejected. In late 1875, President Grant orders the army not to enforce provision of the 1868 treaty prohibiting non-Indians from entering the Hills. Combination of the 1872 mining act and the public knowledge of the wealth of the Paha Sapa encourages many prospectors to enter the area. 1876 - Congress states that the Sioux will not receive any more treaty-guaranteed rations until they agree to sell the Black Hills. The Sioux call this the "sell or starve" option. On June 25, Lakota and their allies defeat General Custer at the Little Big Horn. Later in the year another commission comes to the Lakota nation. From sworn statements from those present, the following facts emerge. About one half of the nation is in the North on a hunting trip, thus representation of less than 10 percent of the people meet with the commission. An agreement was signed, understood as a lease on the land. Later that year, George Hearst purchases a prospecting claim in the Hills for $70,000 he has borrowed from his mother. 1877 - The United States passes the Black Hills Act, unilaterally transferring the Black Hills to the United States. 1888[78?] - George Hearst's claim is now worth $6 million. He adds processing equipment to the Homestake Gold Mine. 1887 - Dawes Act - the Indian Allotment Act is passed. The law applies to all reservations (except Pine Ridge until 1902) dividing the land into 160-acre individual allotments. 1889 - State of South Dakota created. 1890 - congress unilaterally reduces the Lakota reservations to six separate tracts. Homesteaders enter the region in greater numbers, seeking to make a living off the land. In late December, the US Cavalry destroys 300 men, women and children at the Wounded Knee Massacre. 1916 - After this year, mineral rights to homestead land are retained by the government. 1920 - US "gives permission" for the Lakota to file a court claim for land taken from them. Lakota are not told until after the case is filed that the claim is for money - instead of land - contrary to the wishes of the Lakota. 1934 - Indian Reorganization Act established "tribal council" government on the reservations. These governments are subject to the approval of the United States, undermining the authority of the traditional governments. 1942 - The Black Hills Claim Case is dismissed, along with 17 related claims, at approximately the same time. 1946 - Indian Claims Commission Act is passed, allowing monetary compensation for taken land, but no possible return of it. A claim is initiated again "on behalf" of the Lakota. Again,t he Lakota state that the land is not for sale. 1951 - Uranium is discovered near Edgemont by Jerry Brennan, a local lawyer. 1953 - Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) establishes a station near Edgemont to purchase ore produced in the area. ongoing uranium reconnaissance study continues under the AEC. Large resource bodies are found in Western South Dakota and the Williston Basin. Results of study are released to the energy industry. Ranching and tourism continue to be major state industries. 1971 - 'North Central Power Survey' outlines plans for thirteen 10,000 megawatt coal-fired power plants, along with coal and other resource mining and development. Homestake Mining Company obtains license to remove minerals (uranium) from 1,040 acres of state land in Custer and Fall River Counties, claim transferred to Westinghouse in '76. 1973 - Occupation of Wounded Knee - Lakotas reaffirm commitment to self-determination. 1974 - In August of 1974, mineral prospecting permits issued by the Commissioner of School and Public Lands cover 21,076,087 acres of state land. 1975 - A reconnaissance study is done of Pine Ridge and other reservations. A large uranium deposit is discovered in the Northwestern center of the reservation. On June 25, FBI ground forces attack a traditional camp at Oglala on Pine ridge. Two FBI agents and one native man are killed. The same day, Tribal Chairman Dick Wilson is conducting secret negotiations with the government for transfer of one-eighth of the reservation to the Federal Government. The area contains the uranium ore deposit. 1976 - US Bicentennial celebration 1977 - US offers the Lakota nation $17.5 million for the Black Hills as a claim settlement. The offer represents the value of the land in 1877. The offer is rejected; the land is not for sale. In April, Union Carbide announces it has located a significant uranium deposit in Craven Canyon, Black Hills National Forest. 1978 - Homestake Mining Company announces that gold production is over 50 percent of national annual output - over $1 billion has been removed to date. Homestake's profits have been used to finance the Hearst newspaper and mining empire and, most recently, ventures of United Nuclear - Homestake Partners, the third largest uranium reserve holding company. 'Engineering and Mining Journal' (Nov.) reports that there are over eight million pounds of uranium (worth nearly $800 billion) in South Dakota, mostly in the Black Hills. 1979 - January, Governor William Janklow abolishes the Department of Environmental Protection - both energy development and environmental protection are now under the same department. Some 25 corporations, holding claim to approximately one million acres, are known to be in this area. US offers the Lakota $105 million for the Black Hills; Again traditionals reject this offer. Pine Ridge reservation rejects in June; other Tribal councils still discussing. Offer reaffirms validity of Lakota claim; Lakota's maintain the land is not for sale. A third generation S.D. rancher asks for consideration of the future: "If we allow these companies to destroy our land today, what will we say to our relations three generations from now? 'The Black Hills are sacred to the Lakota people. The Black Hills is our church, the place where we worship. The Black Hills is our burial ground, the bones of our grandfathers lie buried in those hills. How can you expect us to sell our church and our cemeteries for a few token whitemen dollars. We will never sell...' -Frank Fools Crow, Lakota leader 7