Sitanka Wokisuya Cultural Ride 2012
Report by Wendell Yellow Bull sen.
Pine Ridge Thurday 12/22/11
Today, is the beginning of the Si’Tanka Wokikusuye Horse Cultural Ride, it is a good day, we started slow, but, we left in good spirits from the home of the Oglala’s. It was a cold day, The Yellow Bull Ti’wahe, “ate” Wendell and “Ina” Delores, Wakanyeja : Davis and Leigh begin their journey to the community of Bridger, South Dakota. This is the start for the Oglala’s, who are the descendants of those, that did survive the Wounded Knee Massacre.
Delores and I are from the Si’Tanka Wokikusuye “takini”, Delores mother Alice New Holy is a member of Sitting Bull band and her father is a Descendant of Chief Big Foot. I am a descendant of the “Horn Clouds” Mahpiya Hetu “The Peace Maker” who died at the Wounded Knee, South Dakota. It was his son Joseph Horn Cloud, who did erected Wounded Knee Monument at the grave site of his people, which still stand today, Davis is our son and daughter Leigh, who are learning of their history.
The Yellow Bull Ti’wahe had trouble getting the lights to work on the Green Camouflage Camper, “THE GREAT SPIRIT WAS TESTING US” the reasoning for the Camper, it is, so that Delores can dialysis, inside of the Camper, where it is warmed. So when the Yellow Bull Ti’wahe, begin to approached the town of Philip South Dakota; it was dark, The Yellow Bull’s had to make a great decision; Do we TAKE a Lakota traditional approach by sneak in and let Wakan Tankan put the blinder on the eyes of the South Dakota Highway Patrol Officers. No! We yelled, we will do it the “Lakota Society Way” we lit the vehicle flasher and we will show, that we are not scared, we will show the South Dakota Highway patrol officers. We are ready to count coop, so we drove to Philip South Dakota with the
Lakota Society Spirit way and we made it to Bridger, South Dakota. Wakan Tanka did provide for us, blind the South Dakota Highway Patrol to clear the way to Bridge South Dakota. “Hoka Hey”!
Once at Bridge South Dakota Community Building, it was good times to began, the greeting “Wahiyalo” there was an old Friend Linus Gray Eagle, Francis Thunder Hawk, and Kremin Minor, just to mention a few names, and to greeting them, with a warm handshake and I let out a war cry “I made it” Han, Han was said, a meal was going to be provided by the Morrison family to honor their veteran two “Wicasa” “men”and two “winya” females of their family, it is the traditional way to recognize their Ti’wahe members.
It was good see lekse Phil Iron Cloud and Jack Cumming, they are in charge of the water and cook shack this year, they are in good spirits. “Hoka Hey”!
12/23/11 Bridger, South Dakota
The Sun (Wi) rose slowly from the east, It was five O’clock in the morning for me, the propane for the heater was all gone. It was beginning to get cold in the camper, I asked Delores are you cold, “she said” kind of, so I forge for an extra propane tank outside, unhooked tank that was for cooking, so “Ina” Delores could be warm, it is Delores, who is the foundation of the Yellow Bull Ti’wahe.
Now, I began to hook-up the heater again, and soon it was warm again. It was seven O’clock it seems like a surprise, all of sudden trucks and horse riders began to put into the corral area, where the horses were pen up for the night. It was a sight to see the horses and riders beginning to come together for the today ride to Daniel Ranch. The Horses began to whinnying and there were excited for today.
There were many familiar face Karim Miner, who I haven’t seen for almost the summer, when we left I gave him a zippo Lighter for him, to use, when he lid his “cig” it would be remembrance for him of an old friend.
12/24/11 Daniel Ranch
Today, breakfast was severed, I was up at 5:00 o’clock getting ready, for Davis will be riding, but time’s are tough, with vehicle repairs, I just couldn’t get a another vehicle going in time, we just didn’t have a additional vehicle to bring the pull type trailer. So we asked our niece Jessie to bring “Bulls-eye” , but they had vehicle trouble along the way. Now there are going to have to drive to Rapid City, South Dakota 80 miles away. They are in need of a vehicle starter, so they left during the night, so that in morning, we can have a vehicle and trailer that can haul horses.
Today is an exceptional day’s it is warming and Davis, he is going to ride, I was up getting his gear ready for today.
In reflection
I did this for our children when they were young, who are older now with their own children. Has it been that long ago I thought to myself, but me and Delores are still going on the Si’tanka Wokikusuye Horse ride. I can see delores and I becoming slower in movement, but she still prepared our egg’s, sausage and roast beef in put them into a Mexican bread, this morning. The daily dialysis is draining her, but her spirit is alive and still going to kept our Davis going on the ride. She is think off the Little Big Horn Ride already, now, we will be have to start early to repair our vehicle. So, we can pull the horse trailer for the long Montana trip. Lea is heart broken, because her horse that she was going to ride has been left behind, due injuries to it feet. Lea paint horse has been left been left behind, due to additional vehicle not repaired, she will have to wait for the summer and next year.
The Morning Prayers were said by an elder, and you can still hear Chubbs yelling “Hiyupo” “Come” it is time to start the horse ride, they began to form the sacred circle and the Lakota ceremony song began to be sung. Now the horses and riders began to move in counter clockwise and all of sudden they started follow the staff carries, who are always at the front of horse Colum.
Early, there wasn’t enough water, and the horse didn’t have water for Twenty-four hours, but a feller came through for us allowed us to water our horses. “Wopila” and in a silent prayer for the Rancher. It is Christmas eve, and act of kinds will go along way for him and his family, “ in silent prayer Tunkasila le upetu ki ,”today” give blessing to this rancher for giving “Takini” descendant horses water. “Woplia”
Now, we are at the first stop for lunch for the Horse riders and “Ina” Delores in back of her mind, she still wandering about our Davis, it is like all mothers, all over the world, mother always worry about their children.
I can hear the sound of generator going, and coffee pot is perking, soon there will be “Pejuta Sapa” coffee for the older riders, and children, will be getting juices for the long haul to the Big Foot Pass. Delores as always, she is boiling a pot of water for Davis hot tea for the day ride “Hoka Hey”!
12/24/11 The Big Foot Pass
The day is at an end and the Si’tanka Wokikusuya horses and riders have return, to our base camp, they are in good spirits and they are showing the true spirit of Lakota horsemanship. Davis our son roded into base camp on a different horse, not Bulleyes; it was “Paint Horse”. It has been told to us the Davis rode in on a "green broke horse", which is a horse just started in it training, which bring joy to Delores in the spirit of horsemanship, she lets out war cry for her son, Davis is growing up to be quite the Lakota Horseman, he may still ride his paint horse, who is still at home. We acknowledge him, when did return, you can see the pride in his eyes, Ina now prepared a bowl noodles, hot tea, and warm bed for him. “Hoka Hey”!
Reflection:
it´s time for a meal to be shared, and stories of what they have seen along the way, how each rider encouraging a young rider to make it to the base camp. In the past, there would be a meal shared, it the was Lakota scouts, who were given the task to search and bring wild game to be prepared by the women of the camp, so a meal would be shared with all.
We had to move our camp, the United states National Park Service’s, only gave us permit for an acre to camp on, if we don’t come closer to the camp, there will be fine of two-thousand dollars. We move, as we set camp-up again, we could hear Lakota Song being sung to bring riders together. Delores and I walked over to the camp fire and listen to the songs. It is a shame that Oglala’s who operate national park acres on the other side, but the tribal Ranger and Park authority will not let their own people camp, on what is consider their own land. “I am sadden by this” are we colonized people of no return, we may lose our identity as native people. It the republic, who want convenience, they produce paper and plastic for us to buy these goods. Turn around blame the native for all the Trash, what is a native to do. “Hoka Hey”!
12/25/11 The Big Foot Pass on the United States Government side
The Yellow Bull Ti’wahe were up at six O’Clock in the morning, the sun(wi) rising south east, of the Base Camp, it was quiet except that you can hear the horse whinnying around the base camp, as I look up towards the cook shack I seen a flicker from the cook shack fire pit. There were a few young warriors standing guard over the camp; as it should be in the spirit of a true warrior society. “It is Christmas day” For some Christmas is just a passing day, like many youths who may or may not see a gift, but may receive a candy bag, but nothing more than a good meal and sharing of each other company. It is this that remind us that some are more fortunate than others, and each other company will be the binding of true relationship of human being kind. I am now understanding that it is this human kindred that will continue for us to be the spirits of the plains.
Again like a lightning and thunder the Lakota horse riders show up and began to gather their horses, as in the past the warrior would assign many young warriors to take the responsibility of watching the horses. Now it was time to bring in the horses in closers to camp. An elder yelling it time heyupo “ “meaning start coming” it will be the beginning to circle-up, in traditional warrior spirit way. Davis Lakota name (Tantanka Mani Tokahiya) is listening, he hear the sound from the elder, he began to prepare his horse, his sister lea is riding bulleyes to warm-up herself.
Now the riders are waiting for the breakfast and they will began the horses movement towards the Red Water Creek, near Kyle South Dakota. We will be waiting at Interior, South Dakota for the horse riders.
Now it breakfast a Young warrior yelling “wota”, we are going to have a riders meal, Davis is excited, he left for the chow line. We all wonder what is riders meal, maybe something like a hard boiled egg, it’s a riders meal, it will be news for us.
It is good to see leske Mel Lone Hill on the Si’Tanaka Wokikusuye ride, he has contribute and set the example of true Lakota horseman, for all of youngest horse riders. A true Lakota horseman who will continue to inspires us and his people. “Hoka hey”!
The group left in good spirits from the Big Foot pass base camp, moving on to the next stop, which will be at the interior, South Dakota. There is a slight wind coming from the southwest, it is blowing gently, the riders are glad it is not hard and fast which will sting against the Riders face.
It is where lunch will be served for the Horse riders, now for many who travel the trail are looking for to a single trail coming down the side of the grassy table in the Badlands.
At 11.00 the rider have arrived at the lunch area, they are in good spirits, most are happy and smiling leading and walking their horses, they are looking for a place to tied their horses. As usual delores is looking for davis, she has set aside some peanuts and took the rest of the bag of peanuts to be given to rest of the riders. It will be lesson for Davis, to learn to share which will build the Human kindred relationship with Si’tanka Wokikusuye Riders they will embrace him as time goes on during the ride. It is time for coffee for the older rider and some juice for the young riders. Delores took the rest of our cooked roast beef which is already cut in to slices. This will be good for sandwiches for the riders.
It seem that davis has some concern about the white river crossing, the horse riders will have to cross the river. Delores and I stop along the highway at a bridge that cross over the white river, the water level seem to be shallow. Delores comments,”that it is time for my son to come to term with his own fears. This is the “Ina spirit”, it signify that, she is going to allow Davis to grow from his experience of the water crossing. “Hoka Hey”
We are now at the Red Water Base Camp, it is in a valley, the roadway is of dirt, and due to the snow it has become a muddy and slippery road. A diesel Truck has over heat and a battery cable has become loose, the vehicle will not operate any more, but no time for repairs we will return to get the vehicle started later, we are going to meet the horse riders. It seem that we are waiting and there are few older riders gathering and talking with each, possibility of talking of when they were riding in the past, comparing their experience, they are in a positive nature. There is a few horses, that have been injured and couldn’t make the Red Water trek. They will rest and today is Christmas, it is rest day for all. The horses and riders will rest one day, before they will began they ride on the 12/26/11.
As usual Delores in her own nature she is in a positive mode, she has her camera in the ready, to take a moment in time, of a picture of Davis and “Bulleye”. Delores will also will take pictures of the rest, riders and horses. There will be prayers and songs sung by our Lakota Singers. “Hoka hey” as we wait there is green hay, that has been spread out, in a make shift Horse pen. But it is this way, there were not horse panels, which are manufacture specify for holding horses.
12/25/11 The Ate and Ina Yellow Bull TI’wahe, pull up camp, have loaded the camper and Davis is already, there is Familiar sound of “Hiyupyo” “Start coming” from an Lakota Elder Francis Thunder Hawk. The Lakota Rider began to ride or pulled the their horse towards the fire-pit. The Significant of a fire pit “Peta” is always start in the beginning and ending at each camp movement. There are meals to be prepared for the camp, once we began to become settle in for the night. It is the last to flicker for the morning, to warm oneself up, and prepared for the camp to moved toward were it will end, or it will be closer to were Oyate will stay for the winter months. It time for it to be put “Peta” to rest, the elder give the sound for the songs to sung and prayers to be offered. The scouts are in the ready to be send out to lead the horse riders on the trek toward Red Water.
12/25/11 The Yellow Bull Ti’Wahe were going to be on task, for once, we would be at the Little Wound School to share a Chirstmas dinner with the riders. We had to do one task, that was to get the camper home to Pine Ridge South Dakota and it was a forty Minute Drive, we did leave right away, due to the outside night Lights, that do not work on the camper. It is for sure that we get stop by our Tribal Police for not having lights, we had brakes and signal lights. But no lights that would show us in the dark.
So, we left, it was getting dark, I would said to “Delores are we going to make it”, she would say “there is still sunlight”, but we knew that it would be dark before we would arrived at Pine Ridge, by looking at the sun, it was going down to just a strip of light, it was the evening light burly flickering, but we were positive and that was a good sign for us.
Delores would say to me as we came to known point nearing Pine Ridge, there still light and there were shadows of clouds with, just enough sunlight. We were still in a positive nature, now instead of the South Dakota Highway Patrol; we have become hostile on the homeland, “Mila hunska” Long Knife has allowed us as people to enforce his laws. Just like the Ottoman Empire, which allow those they conquer, to continue to function but under the laws of their empire. Now we are in slient as we approach their agency. A vehicle approached us and stay behind us, all the way to Pine Ridge, shining their automobile headlight upon us , we have help, “tunkasila” has send a protector, the vehicle stay with us until, we made it to home. “Woplia” “Hoka Hey”!
Now we unhook the camper and left for the Christmas Dinner, in Kyle South Dakota, we travel fast and arrived at the Little Wound School, but it turn out, we were late, we search, but the riders had eaten and were now settling down for the night. The Yellow Bull Ti’wahe understood that tonight, we would be eating our Christmas dinner on the road, we manage to find a convenience store, open, so we brought Nacho and Soda, it was banquet for us. We started back to our home, I was thinking, it was sign for us, to take it easy on the ride home as reflection for me with Christmas dinner and moment with family, I understood that sacrifice that all rider make, to be on this Si’Tanke Wokikusuya Horse Ride. Our Ti’wahe was still in good spirit and that for me, we will get ready for the celebration tomorrow on the 12/26/11. We are eating our Nacho and drinking our soda, a Christmas meal that will be remembers by us. We eat in silent, as I drove home, thinking to myself, I will make up it to Yellow Bull Ti’wahe.
On 12/26/11 it is time to travel to Kyle, South Dakota for the Si’Tanka Wokikusuya Celebration Pow-wow, it will be annual event from this day forth. It is good sign for us again. we made it just in time for dinner, we eat hearty and Davis had a second helping of Mash Potatoes and Gravy. Delores manage to get a turkey leg, she was very happy and I think for us just wanting to be with the riders to share a meal among them, it was worth the wait.
During the Pow-wow Davis join the Eagle feather staff procession , Si’Tanka “Big foot” Song was sung , as it was sung the procession, began to dance into the center. All those in attendance stood up as the Eagle Staff pass by them. There were a few family did honoring ceremonies on behalf of their riders.
12/27/11 It was travel day from Red Water Creek, Davis and I made it in time, there were other riders, in vehicle, going in the same direction. I arrived and Davis and I began to look for “ Bullseye”. We found him and began to saddle him.
I was offer tobacco from elder Francis Thunder Hawk ,who told that I am the keeper of the pipe, of the “Oglala nation” and asked to pray for the Si’Tanka Rider, I offer “Wosape” “Word of encouragement” before the prayer , to take care of the riders and for safety of horses, and remind that we all descendant and relatives of those who have survived, we have a responsibility to remember out relative and family, and honor offer prayers’ for those who are not here, who died at the wounded knee.
Now the prayer
Oh Tunkasila give blessing who have a hard times in this modern world, it is season of giving, we must remember as human being’s a gift of the hearthas more meaning and is more than a gift of tangible item.. We as people must remember in time’s such as these, we must offer a pray for those who struggle with life emotion and physical. Ho’ mitaku’oyasin
A song was sung by Gus Yellow Hair, and the scout left the circle and the rest of the riders and horses followed. They are going to red Owls springs the pace is strong, as I drove back toward Kyle, South Dakota, thinking of davis his path is set in the spirit of horse culture. This away of life for him forever. Hoka Hey!.
12/27/12
The Si’tanka Riders are now riding into Red Owl Springs, south of Kyle, South Dakota, it is late in the evening, the corral panel have been set-up the night before, during the Pow-wow. A rider who was helping to set-up the panels did receive an injuries from the panels. His trumb was smashed and it was hurting him as he spoke to me, I call for the Oglala Sioux Tribe Ambulance Service, the EMT did a good job for him. He return back to the Pow-wow.
While We were waiting, A support staff told me that the horse Davis was riding had been injured and it was bleeding and it couldn’t be stop. I found the horse and seen that blood was spurring out, so I applied pressure to a point on the horse leg. The bleeding did stop and now it need water and some grain for energy. Note that the horse is doing okay as this time. Davis was very concern for the horse, since he rode this horse all the way from Daniel Ranch South Dakota. When I told him that the horse was going to be okay. Davis “sighed” it was good sign for me that my son has a big heart for horses, it is good sign for me. Hoka Hey!
Now it was time for the riders to eat for the evening, so we drove davis to eat with his riders at a Klye church, A prayer was said by a young man, after the prayer, they began to eat beans and homemade bread. Delores helped with serving of the food out, to the riders. She has been there for davis, it not easy for her, with carrying additional water as body weight, which is Dialysis solution for the Home Dialysis and it cause her human body to become cold after each treament. Her body has to work harder to keep itself warm. This is what commitment is from older riders, some who have health issue, but they continue to be there for those young riders. Mel Lone Hill who has health issue but he is still there for his daughter and grand children. This is commitment by those who have being rider when most of the Horse culture Rides began. Hoka Hey!
The Yellow Bull Ti’wahe left in good spirits and will return in the morning, “Wopila” to the Tunkasila for a good ride no one was injured, today.
12/28/11, Today the sky was clear, as it was time to leave for Red Owl spring, I got Davis and lea up for the travel to Red Owl Springs, To Davis, Lea and Myself left at 6;00 O’clock but we still arrived late, the riders left at 07:00. They were going to Wounded Knee Memorial Grave-site , So I asked Johnson Bear Robe to let Davis and Lea ride with him in the truck, when they meet up the Riders along the way, if he can he help Davis and lea get their horse to finish out the remainder of the Ride to Wounded Knee Grave site. He said he would, when Delores and I arrived Davis did ride to the Wounded Knee Grave site.
You can hear the DJ on K.I.L.I Radio station, commented that the Big foot Rider are riding by the Station, he was is good spirit. He was informing the oglala’s that the riders have arrived on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. The Si’tanka Wokikusuya Horse riders are at the Wounded Knee Grave site in a circle, there are honoring songs, being sung for the riders, but also for the remembrance of those who did lose their lives on a day of tragedy. Where Big Foot people who lost their lives, because of descendant of who knew only one model to take without wanting to live side by side,those were wanting to rid natives from their land, native who for many generation lives without the fear of being killed, by the thousand.
A day of sorrow. WYB
Now, the ceremony is completed for the day, the riders were getting ready for a Pow-wow in Manderson ,South Dakota just like the years before there will be honoring all of the older horse riders, remember, those who have left us, and gone on to the “happy hunting grounds” or if they were of a warrior society they would go to were all the warrior go to. The night has come upon us very quickly, now the food is being served, it time for speaking, the first to speaks were the Si’tanka Family, who spoke to the riders and gave them words of encouragement to continue with the Ride for the future.
A song of honor has been sung for the Horn Cloud Descendant Auntie Peril Dixon, Fred Cedar Face and family, who provided a meal for the riders. “Wopila”. This is good that, we as Horn cloud still are looking out for our people.
The Master of Ceremony “asked” the gathering of children to form an inter-circle first and second to form the second circle around the children which were the women for the Wicasa to be on the outside of the circle and a spiritual song is being sung. We the Wicasa are the protector of our children and Women, who are the future of the Oglala’s. The Ceremony Song has up-lifting beat, which grabs a person inter-spirit and bring it to level of being good, happy to be a human being feeling. “Hoka Hey”!
It is over, for the night, we must go home, and prepare for the morning travel to the grave site, and then there will be some riders, who will ride on to Pine Ridge Agency, to the site where the wounded were taken to be treated. Some died there and other survived and left for home, there were some who live and stayed at the Pine Ridge Agency. Like our Grandfather Joseph Horn Cloud, Dewy Bread, White Lance and Lucy Horn Cloud, who stayed and became part of the Oglala’s.
12/29/11 Today was a good day and everyone is in good spirits and travel day for the Pine Ridge, South Dakota, our son Davis during the travel towards Pine Ridge his horse decide to go in another direction. A few riders had to go and get Davis and his horse “Ate Tanka” which he was allowed to ride it was a small pony. Delores and I waited for him at Pine Ridge. We as parents are proud of Davis for his commitment to finish out the ride. They arrived and song were sung, and meal was prepared for them. This is the end of the Si’tanka Wokikusuye Horse Ride. It is raining day as Ina is crying in good spirits for a good ride and that we didn’t forget those who have not seen this modern world, “wopila”.
Our grandfather Chief Oliver Red Cloud spoke to the riders and told of his mother sister, who was a relative of Si’tanka. We said “toska”, which is not saying “good -by” but we will see each other again. A PRAYER AND SONG WERE SUNG FOR ALL.
Next year, we will be there again. “Hoka Hey”!
I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE WOPILA FORTHOSE WHO HELP US TO BE PART OF THIS RIDE. Our german and swiss tribal relatives
Oh tunkisila give blessing to all our human being relatives, gives us “wospake” to understand what happen here,on this day of sorrow, and I pray for those, who believe that revenge was a way to justify the killing of native children, who told not to worry, that we as native were coming in the name of peace. Oh “All my relatives”
