Efforts to raise $9 million to purchase sacred land in the Black Hills continue among grass roots Native Americans as well as tribal entities. The required amount has almost been reached – but “almost” may not be enough.
It’s been 3 months since the Reynolds family called off the auction of almost 2,000 acres of Black Hills land known to the Lakota as “Pe` Sla”, in favor of selling it to the Lakota people who claim original rights to it.
In that time, the tribes – along with the grass roots movement that began the fundraising process – have managed to raise about $7 million of the $9 million price agreed upon.
Grass roots spokesperson Chase Iron Eyes says even though Pe` Sla is Lakota treaty land, there’s a bigger picture to consider.
“We also feel that the people who came out here… the pioneers and settlers…they stayed here for a reason,” Iron Eyes observes. “Because this country is beautiful. This is our country and it’s beautiful and we want to keep it beautiful. So, we just want people’s help in preserving these sites…like Pe` Sla.”
Iron Eyes says his group has enlisted the help of actor Ezra Miller and hip-hop producer Sol Guy to assist with raising funds.
The deadline for the $9 million purchase of Pe` Sla is November 30.