OglalaCommemoration

The Oglala Commemoration is an annual event that commemorates and remembers the 1975 shoot out at the Jumping Bull ranch in Oglala, South Dakota that left American Indian Movement member, Joe Stuntz Killsright and FBI agents Williams and Coler dead and Leonard Peltier serving 2 consecutive life sentences in federal prison.
This is Leonard's 30th year of false incarceration.
The violent assault on Lakota peoples became evident from the Massacre of Chief Bigfoot's Hohwo-ju ( Minneconjou) people in December 1890 at Wounded Knee. This began to signify the type of "campaigns" the US goverment embarked on during the mid to late 19th century in Lakota Treaty Territory, thus resulting in sentiments of self-defeat on the part of the Lakota and began the historic unresolved grief crises. Then, of February 27, 1973, members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) were asked by Oglala Lakota Elders, Chiefs, and Headsmen to lead the takeover at Wounded Knee to librate the people into a different form of thinking and positive change. On that day, AIM was holding hearings in Calico community where they documented over 1000 statements from Oglala Lakota peoples regardingthe mistreatment from corrupt tribal and federal offcials. Instead, in the years following the 1973 takeover, AIM supporters were assassinated, brutalized, or murdered my fellow Oglala Lakota peoples in what some say was a US -lead Counterinsurgency War on the reservation.In June 1975, a shootout at the Jumping Bulls residence in Oglala SD between FBI agents and members of an AIM encampment led by Leonard Peltier prompted more assault on Lakota peoples. Since the 1976 Imprisonment of Leonard Peltier and the documented deaths of over 60 AIM supporters on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, the Oglala Lakota have suffered great levels of traumatic stress. Over two decaded of US census records have shown the amounts of stress attributed to the improverished conditions on the reservation. The extreme proverty condition becomes a factor in calculating the depth of suffering. This history doesn't disturb the US government, but the International community hasn't ignored it. Neither should our coming generations of Lakota peoples who are destined as future leaders in the struggle for survival of a way of life being under attack.In 2000, at the 25th Anniversary of the famous 1975 "Incident at Oglala", the Lakota Student Alliance joined with the AIM Support Group of KS to form a committee which would address Indigenous issues at a local level, inclusive of Peltier's imprisonment.We feel that wounds and scars will heal but only if we, ourselves, are shown the methods of healing them. We are lead to believe that most issues in this struggle encourage forms of alternative justice and traditional as well as contemporary, methods of sustainable living. On the Pine Ridge reservation there is occasion to explore all these forms and methods. Thus, we have reached our 7th year of commemorating the events that led up to Peltier's imprisonment as well as struggling to address the hostoric unresolved grief facing our people. We need the help of our Elders, Headsmen, and Tiyospaye's (Traditional Familes) to move forward in this process. We need the support of the International and National surrounding communities toward the awareness raising campaigns which we sponsor annually.
The Slideshow below features some of the people that have, in some way, contributed to the success of the Commemoration!
STATEMENT FROM LEONARD Greeting my relatives,And again I must say "my relatives" because we are all related in one way or another by natural design of the Creator or our common concerns for the Earth and freedom. I want to acknowledge another year gone by since my last statement was read to you and I want to again thank all of you supporters for your continued efforts to right the wrongs that have befallen both my people and me.Being here in prison on its very best day is not good. The reason I say this is, because I want to acknowledge that there is always someone in a more difficult situation than your own. An example which I will share is one day on entering the visiting room here, I saw a paraplegic in a wheelchair who had dropped the wand type instrument that he holds in his mouth and uses to maneuver the controls on his electric wheelchair. He asked me to pick it up for him, which I did. It also happened to be a day when I was feeling kind of down myself. After seeing this man, I felt somewhat ashamed and counted my blessings. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you are free and can chose your destination from one place to another, whether it be physical, mental, spiritual or emotional, count your blessings.I was looking through some of my stuff the other day and I came across a card that I had not finished writing in and had misplaced. It was a card to a friend in which I had written "always remember the Creator is with you even though you may not have noticed." And I would like to impart that to you, my relatives. I truly believe the Creator loves us and continues to provide for us but, we must also take responsibility upon ourselves to be part of that providing for ourselves, our children, our children's children, and all future generations.Thirty one years ago, the Lakota elders asked for help and protection from the goon squad that was terrorizing the Lakota Nation. I along with many others responded to that call. Every year since June 26, 1975 people gather at Pine Ridge and various parts of the world to pay their respects for the people who died during the Reign of Terror. I want to convey this message to you my relatives; June 26, 1975 is not about me, Leonard Peltier. I simply responded to a call to help others protect our lands, culture and traditions. Yes, I will admit that it makes me feel honored that people do meet on June 26, and other days and remember me however I ask that you never forget those that also helped and those that died during the Reign of Terror. I ask that you not loose focus on the real issue that of people suffering and experiencing hardships that need not be. Even today we see children, women and elders being murdered all in the name of justice. We see lands being taken, and cultures being robbed of their languages, their tradition and their right to freedom of religion. I must share with you that as the years have passed, and every day the cell door opening in the morning and the cell door closing at night is one of the sounds that I hear routinely every day, I have not forgotton what I was asked to do and that was to respond to the call that our Elders sent - A cry for help. I now ask you, what are you doing to respond to the call by others who need help? I leave you with this message, June 26, is not about me, Leonard Peltier but about what are you going to do to protect our Mother Earth and to help others."Remember, our work will be unfinished until not one human being is hungry, or battered, not one single person is forced to die in war, not one innocent languishes imprisoned and no one is persecuted for his or her beliefs."I look forward to hearing from you as to what you will be doing to protect our Mother Earth. What are you going to do to help our brothers and sisters? Will you respond to the call to help, or will you sit comfortably in your homes, enjoying the news and feeling sad about events and hardships that are occurring to our Mother Earth and our brothers and sisters. How are you going to respond to the call of help from your brothers and sisters, and from our Mother Earth? For those of you who are free remember you can choose your destination, it is up to you the path you choose to take.We are all related,In the Spirit of Crazy HorseLeonard Peltier***The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee can be reached via email at: [email protected] ***
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Congratulations to April Merrival from the LPDC:OGLALA COMMEMORATION AWARD- LEONARD PELTIER HONORARY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD for 2006Congratulations to April Merrival! April is the recipient of the Leonard Peltier Honorary Scholarship Award for 2006. The Oglala Commemoration presents a Leonard Peltier Honorary Scholarship Award on a yearly basis.April Merrival currently resides at Pine Ridge and is actively seeking her educational degree in Early Childhood Education.April is a single mother of 5, who after completing her GED Certification decided to continue her education and purse an Associate Degree. April is currently employed by the OST Head Start Program as a Teacher's Aide and hopes to have her own classroom someday in the near future!April is committed to helping her community and her own children in improving their life and also seek higher educational opportunities.Congratulations April! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2006 Event RecapUpon arrival, members of the Committee along with Cheri Haney (Mike's widow) all arrived by van after a trip from Ohio, Oklahoma and St. Louis, via Topeka.The weather was beautiful and the trips to WalMart began to get all the last minute items needed.We gathered at the Brother Rene' Hall on the afternoon of the 25th to hold our last minute planning meeting and share a meal together.A "Wiping of the Tears" ceremony was held and the food was shared. Friends, Keith Rabin and Harvey Arden joined us. Skylar Wolf, having arrived early for the event was there also and gifted us with his home made Navajo Frybread. And brought traditional Hopi bread for the meal.We had seen Chief Arvol Looking Horse in Pine Ridge earlier in the day, and that made me feel good...as a good sign that this event would be successful. Chief Looking Horse is the 19th Generation Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Woman Pipe of the Lakota/Dakota/Nakota Nations. Bumping in to him at Big Bat's in Pine Ridge was a pleasant surprise.The morning of the 26th began with breakfast and a caravan to Oglala. Gina Thomas of the Committee went to Brother Rene' Hall to begin the cooking for the night's CommUNITY feast, and we headed to the Little Family Cemetary.Once again, people had gathered from around the country to join us in praying for Joe Stuntz, Jun Little and other warriors who had given their lives to the struggle. Fred Cedar Face with the assistance of his cousin, Pat Janis led the prayers with the songs being sung by Billy Good Voice Elk, Jr. and Elk Nation.We were actually running a little early and the Memorial Walk began before the escort from the OST Police arrived. We did, however, have our security escorting the walk along with Galeson Eagle Star and Beau Little on their Harleys. The day was warm with sun shining down on the walkers but the walk went well.Upon our arrival at the Jumping Bull property we gathered under the beautiful pine arbor which had been built for Calvin Jumping Bull's memorial the week before. Fred once again led us in prayer and Elk Nation in honoring songs. Eileen Janis read the statement from Leonard Peltier and J.D. Nash read the names of the victims of the Pine Ridge Reign of Terror. Members of the families of those who crossed over into the Spirit World in the last year spoke on behalf of their loved ones. These included Roselyn Jumping Bull, Fred Cedar Face, Pat Janis, Ivas (standing soldier?), Cheri Haney, Wilma Blacksmith and Patricia Catches. Harvey Arden read the chapter of "Prison Writings" that described the shoot out on this day in 1975 in Leonard's words. The memorial s and photos of Michael Haney and Joe Stuntz were taken around the group to be shown and the s were served by the children.We moved from there to the Brother Rene' Hall at Our Lady of the Sioux Catholic Church in Oglala. Oglala women had gathered and assisted in finishing and serving the food to the people along with Sioux Frybread made by Wilma Blacksmith.The guys from Oasis Music and Sound were set up and ready and the Concert for Youth started promptly at 7 p.m. As usual, the sound crew did an excellent job!Edgar Bear Runner spoke as did Harvey Arden and Galeson Eagle Star throughout the show. We were also honored to meet the winner of last year's Leonard Peltier Honorary Scholarship, Ms. April Merrival.The performers at this year's Concert for Youth were at their best, each delivering a totally outstanding performance. Elk Nation, Julian B with special guest Mekko, Dale Alan, Native Era, Skylar Wolf and Buggin Malone all did a great show, with youth and elders alike tapping their feet and dancing.The next morning began with an impromptu concert in the motel parking lot by Skylar Wolf and JD Nash. The Committee hosted a breakfast for all the performers and then what seemed like hours of picture taking and farewells until next year. The Committee held their annual meeting at the home of Fred Cedar Face in Pine Ridge, and then traveled north through the badlands and then east across South Dakota toward home.The Committee would like to thank: ---------------------------------- ------------ The Jumping Bull Family The Little Family The Janis Family The Blacksmith Family The Catches Family The Haney Family The Cedar Face Family The Oglala Sioux Tribe - Tribal Police Our Lady of the Sioux Catholic Church Sister Connie Elk Nation Drum Security Clean up Crew Kitchen Help Oasis Music and Sound Dennis Running Hawk Les Burris The Children: Maya, Mekko, Che, Tater who helped Craig Pak Buggin Malone Dale Alan Julian B Native Era Skylar Wolf Leonard Peltier The LPDC SW Missouri LPSG American Indian Movement AIM, North Carolina OST & BIA Safety KILI Radio Oglala Lakota College Scholarship Committee T-Shirt Guy American Indian Student Council Native American Indian Center Central Ohio (NAICCO) Native Voices - Cincinnati WRIR - Richmond Noise From The Native Nations - awesomeradio.net and All the relatives, family and supporters of Leonard Peltier!From : The Leonard Peltier Defense CommitteeThe Oglala Commemoration Committee is:Leonard Peltier - Chairman at large Grandmother Roselyn Jumping Bull - Chairwoman Lisa Reinhold - Treasurer Gina Landeros-Thomas - Secretary Galeson Eagle Star - Oglala Community Liaison Barry Landeros-Thomas Wayquay Andy Mader (aka J.D. Nash)