Category: Event

9 Children of the Sicangu Oyate traveling home to Lakota Makoce

SIOUX CITY — A caravan bringing home the remains of nine Rosebud Sioux children, who died at a Pennsylvania boarding school more than a century ago, will stop in Sioux City Thursday.

Ten Native American children — nine from the South Dakota tribe and one from the Alaskan Aleut Tribe — were recently disinterred from a cemetery on the grounds of the Carlisle Barracks, which also houses the U.S. Army War College. The Rosebud Sioux Tribe, which is also known as Sicangu Lakota, spent several years negotiating the repatriation of the children’s remains. 

The cemetery contains more than 180 graves of students who attended the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School — a government-run boarding school for Native American children. This is the Army’s fourth disinterment project at the school in as many years.

“With the recent unearthing of our Native children’s bodies at boarding schools, this has been hard and emotional for all First Nations in the U.S. and Canada,” said Trisha Etringer, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.

Etringer is involved in organizing a community meal/prayer service at 8 p.m. Thursday at War Eagle Park in Sioux City. She said a fire will be lit at the park for anyone who wants to pay their respects before 8 p.m.

Caravan bringing home remains of Rosebud Sioux children to stop in Sioux City by Dolly Butz, Sioux City Journal, July 14, 2021

I have been learning a great deal from my friends at the Great Plains Action Society, including Sikowis (Christine Nobiss), Alton and Foxy Onefeather, Trisha Cax-Sep-Gu-Wiga Etringer and Ronnie James. Trisha is quoted in the story above, and both she and Sikowis appear in these videos.

Great Plains Action Society is an indigenous collective working to resist and indigenize colonial institutions, ideologies, and behaviors.

Great Plains Action Society (formerly Indigenous Iowa) was formed out of concern for the current state of our land, the climate and all living things–including Mother Earth. Using our sovereignty and ancestral teachings, we strive to resist colonial-capitalism and Indigenize the world.

Great Plains Action Society

https://twitter.com/quakers_seekers/status/1415878219094429704?s=20
https://twitter.com/quakers_seekers/status/1415878617339473921?s=20
https://twitter.com/quakers_seekers/status/1415881205384364035?s=20

Due to the recent Delta variant and other increased cases of COVID-19 in and around the area, this event will now be virtual.

Join us at 7:30PM MST, Friday – July 16, 2021 on Facebook Live @THEOGLALANATION for a Virtual Candlelight Vigil in truth and solidarity with our Sicangu relatives as they bring their ancestors home to their oyate in Rosebud.

Thank you for your understanding. Please stay safe and continue to practice COVID-19 prevention measures including wearing a mask, social distancing, hand hygiene, and get vaccinated.

Alicia Mousseau, Vice President, Oglala Sioux Tribe

The return of children from Carlisle boarding school

May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'Community Meal & Prayer for the Sičangu Relatives July 15th- 8pm War Eagle Park 4000 War Eagle Dr. Sioux City, IA Morning Morning Prayer/Departure July 16th- 7:30am Tyson Events Center Parking Lot Departure at 8am Bhid Them Home Matters'
SIOUX CITY, IA

July 15th

A fire will be lit on July 15th in honor and remembrance of the nine Sicangu children who will be traveling back home to finally lay to rest. A community meal/prayer service will be at 8pm, but everyone is welcomed to come earlier to pray and pay their respects at War Eagle Park in Sioux City, Iowa. This fire will stay lit until the departure of the nine children the next morning. We encourage anyone to come by and help with the fire and offer up prayers.

War Eagle Park
4000 War Eagle Dr.
Sioux City, IA.

July 16th – Morning Prayer/Departure

UPDATE:
Thank you to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska for providing morning refreshments. Come to the Tyson Events Center parking lot where the front entrance is at 7am if you’d like.

If anyone would like to come for the morning prayer/departure of the nine children, please come to the Tyson Events Center Parking Lot at 7:30am. Departure will be at 8am. We will follow our Lakota relatives in cars (however far you would like to travel with them is your choice).

Funeral caravan will proceed to travel to Old Whetstone Agency, SD.

May be an image of map and text that says 'Pkwy Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City 5674) Dロ 3rd Fuel American Grill Takeout Great Southern Bank t Prrre SS 3rdSt Milwaukee Wiener House, Famous Since.. Takeout 3rd St 7 Tri View Ave 149 Stoney Creek Hotel Sioux City Rustic lodging with a... Sioux City Farmers Market 11 29 Tri View Ave Eastside urgent care North Plains Transportation Ashley Hon Tyson Events Center 10 drive- home Pearl ← Visit Sioux City Larsen Park Rd BUS 20 Rd Prime Bank Box Office Gordon Dr 148 Larsen Gordon Dr'

PLEASE WEAR A MASK IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED!

Overall contact person(s) for the funeral caravan is Vikki Eagle Bear, Russell Eagle Bear (Tribal Councilman), and Jessica Two Eagle

#everychildmatters
#bringthemhome

***PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN WATECHA: PLATES, BOWLS, CUPS, ETC. AND BLANKETS/CHAIRS IF YOU ARE ABE TO***

from my friend Trisha CaxSep GuWiga Etringer

Iowa Prairie Conference

My friend Sikowis (Christine Nobiss) will be speaking at this virtual 2021Iowa Prairie Conference July 31st. She will be speaking at 12:10 pm
End-Stage Iowa: Big-Ag’s Sacrifice Zone and Indigenous Resistance.

May be an image of 1 person and text that says '2021 IOWA PRAIRIE CONFERENCE SPEAKER BIO SIKOWIS (CHRISTINE NOBISS) Sikowis (Christine Nobiss) is Plains Cree-Saulteaux of the George Gordon First Nation in Saskatchewan and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a mother of three, and the founder of Great Plains Action Society and Little Creek Camp and has titled herself a Decolonizer. She has MA in Native American Religious Studies and a graduate minor in Native American Indian Studies from the University of lowa.'

Here is the link to the registration page: Tickets for Iowa Prairie Conference in Des Moines from MIDWESTIX

The Iowa Prairie Conference is a bi-annual conference held on odd years throughout the state of Iowa. The conference has been ongoing for over twenty years and past hosts include the University of Northern Iowa, Luther College, Central College, Iowa Lakes Community College and more. Due to continued cautions with the Coronavirus the Iowa Prairie Conference will be very different this year. Although we are not requiring a fee to register, we are allowing free will donations. Our suggested amount is $10.00, but feel free to donate whatever amount is best for you. The donations collected will go towards ensuring the Iowa Prairie Conference continues in 2023 and beyond! Thank you!  

On July 31st we will have an afternoon of presentations via Zoom. The agenda for the day is below.  

12:00 – 12:05 Welcome, Sarah Nizzi 

12:10 – 1:05 End-Stage Iowa: Big-Ag’s Sacrifice Zone and Indigenous Resistance, Sikowis (Christine Nobiss)  

1:05 – 2:00 Conservation Ain’t Gonna Work If No One Cares But Us, Chris Helzer  

2:00 – 2:10 Break  

2:10 – 2:35 The Status of Remnant Prairie Dependent Butterflies in Iowa’s Most Intact Prairie Landscape, the Loess Hills Ecoregion, Stephanie Shepherd 

2:35 – 3:00 Connecting to Our Natural Heritage Through the Lens of Public Art, Reinaldo D. Correa   

3:00 – 3:05 Break 

3:05 – 4:00 Virtual Social Time on Zoom  

4:00 – 5:00 Keynote Address: Recollections and Reflections of a Half Century of Prairie Activities in Iowa, Dr. Daryl Smith  

5:00 Closing Remarks, Michelle Biodrowski 
 

For detailed information on presentations and our guest speakers click the link here https://www.iowaprairienetwork.org/prairie-conference-speaker-summaries  

If you have any questions or concerns, please check out the Frequently Asked Questions page at https://www.iowaprairienetwork.org/prairie-conference-faqs 

Here is the link to the registration page: Tickets for Iowa Prairie Conference in Des Moines from MIDWESTIX

July 4 Nexus

nexus a connection or series of connections linking two or more things

There are so many concepts and much history related to July 4th.

I’ve come a long way from what I, a white person, was taught in school. About the heroes and battles that brought independence from the British. And just a sentence or so about taking over Indigenous lands, and the slave trade. All whitewashed and presented as acceptable. Even referred to as “Manifest Destiny”.

“He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.”

— Declaration of Independence

The crown and the colonists were both determined to seize lands from native peoples and to continue enslavement.

THE TERRIBLE ORIGINS OF JULY 4TH By Margaret Kimberley, Black Agenda Report.
July 3, 2021

The crown and the colonists were both determined to seize lands from native peoples and to continue enslavement. But their interests were also hostile to one another and war was the inevitable result. White settlers wanted full independence for themselves and no control over their actions at all.

The indigenous populations were nearly eradicated in the decades long quest for conquest. Expanding slavery was an integral part of those efforts against native peoples. Genocide could not be carried out completely nor could any accommodation be made with European nations in the quest to control land from sea to shining sea. That is why the settlers declared their independence.

The process of decolonizing ourselves is a difficult one. We have been cut off from our history and we don’t know where or how our people played a part. As we try to educate ourselves we may find it difficult to give up traditions that we have claimed as our own. Regardless of personal choices made on July 4th, the causes of the Declaration of Independence must be known and acknowledged. That is the beginning of true independence for Black people.

THE TERRIBLE ORIGINS OF JULY 4TH By Margaret Kimberley, Black Agenda Report.
July 3, 2021

The news reminds us of the political rally of the previous guy at Mount Rushmore, July 4, 2020. A perfect example of LANDBACK. Native people blocked the highway to Mount Rushmore because the monument is on Native land. Several of my friends were there. In 1980 the Supreme Court confirmed the land belongs to the Sioux. Compensation of $2 million dollars was offered. But never taken.

“What Mount Rushmore has always represented is a system of power and oppression and white supremacy, because they take a sacred place and carved the faces of white men who are responsible for our colonization and our demise,” (Lakota activist) Nick Tilsen said.

Lakota activist: Mount Rushmore key in move to regain land. When then-President Donald Trump visited Mount Rushmore last year for a fireworks display, Lakota activist Nick Tilsen saw an opportunity to advance the Land Back Movement By STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press, March 24, 2021

The above are connected to a gathering at the Iowa State Capitol this afternoon from 1 – 3 pm, Stop Whitewashing Genocide and Slavery. Bring Back Critical Race Theory & Remove Monuments to White Supremacy!

Indigenous Led | Great Plains Action Society I United States

On July 4th, stand with Great Plains Action Society, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Ní Btháska Stand Collective, Des Moines Black Liberation Movement, Humanize My Hoodie, Revolutionary Action Party, Quad Cities Interfaith, Iowa Coalition for Collective Change, and Des Moines Mutual Aid!

Join us on “Fourth of He Lies” to demand that the Iowa legislators remove whitewashed monuments to white supremacy in Iowa. Organizers will present a petition demanding that all racist, misogynistic, homo/transphobic, whitewashed historical depictions be removed from all state grounds and facilities. These monuments fall into the realm of hate propaganda and make folks feel unwelcome in public spaces. So, we need legislation that removes all monuments, murals, and depictions of white supremacist persons, acts, and ideologies from all Iowa state grounds and state-funded institutions.

Support the BIPOC struggle in Iowa

People ask me how they can support local oppressed communities. Showing up tomorrow is a great way to do so. Organizers “would love to see a mass turnout to support the BIPOC struggle in Iowa”.

Tomorrow, July 4, 1-3 pm, an event I previously wrote about will take place at the Iowa State Capitol. Stop Whitewashing Genocide & Slavery!!!

Additional organizations are supporting the event, including my Des Moines Mutual Aid group. Again this morning I helped with the food giveaway. A friend and I talked a little about this event as we put together boxes of food.

On July 4th, stand with Great Plains Action Society, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Ní Btháska Stand Collective, Des Moines Black Liberation Movement, Humanize My Hoodie, Revolutionary Action Party, Quad Cities Interfaith, Iowa Coalition for Collective Change, and Des Moines Mutual Aid!

Indigenous Led | Great Plains Action Society I United States

Bring Back Critical Race Theory & Remove Monuments to White Supremacy!

Some additional topics have come up related to new legislation.

Demand that the new law, House File 802, which goes into effect July 1 be repealed. The legislation targets teaching critical race theory and other concepts in government diversity training and classroom curriculum.

Demand that Iowa legislators do their job and follow their own laws by abolishing monuments to white supremacy, which depict hate speech and promote discrimination. Kim Reynolds herself has stated that “Critical Race Theory is about labels and stereotypes, not education. It teaches kids that we should judge others based on race, gender, or sexual identity, rather than the content of someone’s character.” If this is the case, then statues depicting friendly “westward expansion”, busts of Columbus, and murals depicting manifest destiny are stereotyping European setter invaders and not depicting the true nature of their character. Columbus was a genocidal, rapist, slave trader, and Indians were forced to give up their land–it was not friendly.

Can’t stop, won’t stop.
Don’t be a bystander to white supremacy.
#SmashWhiteSupremacy

Organizers would love to see a mass turnout to support the BIPOC struggle in Iowa

Join us on “Fourth of He Lies” to demand that the Iowa legislators remove whitewashed monuments to white supremacy in Iowa. Organizers will present a petition demanding that all racist, misogynistic, homo/transphobic, whitewashed historical depictions be removed from all state grounds and facilities. These monuments fall into the realm of hate propaganda and make folks feel unwelcome in public spaces. So, we need legislation that removes all monuments, murals, and depictions of white supremacist persons, acts, and ideologies from all Iowa state grounds and state-funded institutions.

In response to police brutality and racial injustice, monuments to white supremacy are being removed all over the country but People of the World Majority are being forced to put their safety on the line to carry out this long-overdue purge. Folks have been shot, arrested, and targeted. We are an Indigenous-led coalition who do not want any more People of the World Majority to put their bodies on the line so this is a permitted event with the intent of making the state–the colonizers–do their job.

To start, we insist that the following statues and mural be removed from the Iowa State Capitol Building and grounds.

On the West Lawn, there is a 15-foot bronze statue on a large pedestal that stands in front of the Iowa State Capitol Building. According to the Iowa State Government website, the statue depicts “The Pioneer of the former territory, a group consisting of father and son guided by a friendly Indian in search of a home. The pioneer depicted was to be hardy, capable of overcoming the hardships of territorial days to make Iowa his home.” The father and son settler invaders are standing tall and proud, looking west, as the “friendly Indian” sits behind them in a less powerful, dejected position.

Inside the capitol is a piece that overwhelmingly encompasses this sentiment called the Westward Mural, which covers a massive wall. The artist writes that “The main idea of the picture is symbolical presentation of the Pioneers led by the spirits of Civilization and Enlightenment to the conquest by cultivation of the Great West.” He also speaks about overcoming the wilderness with plowed fields–as if the current Indigenous inhabitants, such as the Ioway and the Meskwaki, had not already created capable and efficient land management systems.

On the South Lawn, there is a Christopher Columbus Monument that was celebrated in 1938 by five thousand people who showed up for the dedication of the statue on Columbus Day. The statue was put up just a couple years after the Columbus Club of Iowa successfully lobbied to have Walker Park renamed to Columbus Park and have a Columbus monument placed there.

*This is a peaceful event led by Indigenous Folx. Please do not take actions that will put Brown and Black folx in jeopardy

Sioux City Native Youth Camp

May be an image of 3 people, child, people standing, outdoors and text that says 'PROTECT THE SACRED JULY 10 SIOUX CITY NATIVE YOUTH CAMP 11, RIVERSIDE PARK FOR YOUTH AGES 5-19 BUT BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY! FREE TO ALL! FREE FOOD! FREE T-SHIRTS! TWO DAYS OF CULTURE, GAMES, PHYSICAL FUN AND LEARNING! IMPORTANT!!! Pre-Register at bit.ly/ptsyouthcamp'

Event by Great Plains Action Society

Riverside Park Shelter #4 Sioux City, IA 51109

Price: Free · Duration: 1 day

Public  · Anyone on or off FacebookProtect

The Sacred Native Youth Camp

July 10, 2021 8am – 4pm
July 11, 2021 8am – 5pmRiverside Park, Shelter #4
1301 Riverside Blvd
Sioux City, Iowa

For youth ages 5-19
Pre-Registration at bit.ly/ptsyouthcamp

ABSOLUTELY FREE EVENT! WE WILL PROVIDE TWO SNACKS AND A LUNCH. YOUTH/FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE A FREE T-SHIRT IF THEY ATTEND BOTH DAYS.OPEN FOR ALL FAMILIES TO COME AND PARTICIPATE!

Indigenous youth often face added challenges throughout their childhood and adolescence. Some may have a strong support system while others may not. It is highly important that each and every Native youth feels empowered and inspired to reach their full potential. This is exactly what Protect The Sacred Native Youth Camp is all about. We are encouraging Native youth to participate in cultural and physical activities such as lacrosse, drumming, and dancing (to name a few). Our mission is to engage the Native youth in physical activities to promote healthier habits while learning about local tribes within the region. Knowledge is power and our hope is to help Native youth build a stronger Indigenous identity in order to stand up against abuse and injustice that they may face in their lifetime. Empowered and educated youth will help put an end to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives crisis, which is our long term goal.

A REGISTRATION BOOTH WILL BE SET UP ALL DAY FOR THE TWO DAYS.

Great Plains Action Society will be extending other activities after the daily sponsored event. We anticipate to have sweat each night and families are encouraged to stay overnight in our tipi’s that will be set up at Riverside Park near Shelter #4 if they wish to.

This event is a collaboration between Great Plains Action Society, Indian Youth of America, Mount Marty, UNO, and SD BRIN. 

Wellness

Link to Riverside Park, Sioux City Google Maps

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5021221,-96.4653259,15.5z

Stop Whitewashing Genocide and Slavery

Bring back critical race theory and remove monuments to white supremacy in Iowa. July 4, 2021. 1 – 3 pm. West terrace Iowa State Capitol

May be an image of 3 people and text that says 'XSTOP WHITEWASHING WHITEV GENOCIDE & SLAVERY DEFENID BRING BACK CRITICAL RACE THEORY & REMOVE MONUMENTS Το WHITE SUPREMACY IN IOWA July 4th, 2021 pm-3pm West Terrace Iowa capitol 1007 E Grand Ave Des Moines, IA GreatPlains Action Society cči DSM BLM COLLECTIVE HMH Put Your Logo Here'
Stop Whitewashing Genocide & Slavery!!!
Bring Back Critical Race Theory & Remove Monuments to White Supremacy in Iowa!

We have an event planned for July 4th at the Capitol Complex and we would love to see a mass turnout to support the BIPOC struggle in Iowa. If your organization would like to join our coalition and co-host, hit me up ASAP and send me your logo.

Don’t be a bystander to white supremacy. Fight back!

Join us on “Fourth of He Lies” to demand that the Iowa legislators remove whitewashed monuments to white supremacy in Iowa. Organizers will present a petition demanding that all racist, misogynistic, homo/transphobic, whitewashed historical depictions be removed from all state grounds and facilities. These monuments fall into the realm of hate propaganda and make folks feel unwelcome in public spaces. So, we need legislation that removes all monuments, murals, and depictions of white supremacist persons, acts, and ideologies from all Iowa state grounds and state-funded institutions.

In response to police brutality and racial injustice, monuments to white supremacy are being removed all over the country but People of the World Majority are being forced to put their safety on the line to carry out this long-overdue purge. Folks have been shot, arrested, and targeted. We are an Indigenous-led coalition who do not want any more People of the World Majority to put their bodies on the line so this is a permitted event with the intent of making the state–the colonizers–do their job.

To start, we insist that the following statues and mural be removed from the Iowa State Capitol Building and grounds.

On the West Lawn, there is a 15-foot bronze statue on a large pedestal that stands in front of the Iowa State Capitol Building. According to the Iowa State Government website, the statue depicts “The Pioneer of the former territory, a group consisting of father and son guided by a friendly Indian in search of a home. The pioneer depicted was to be hardy, capable of overcoming the hardships of territorial days to make Iowa his home.” The father and son settler invaders are standing tall and proud, looking west, as the “friendly Indian” sits behind them in a less powerful, dejected position.

Inside the capitol is a piece that overwhelmingly encompasses this sentiment called the Westward Mural, which covers a massive wall. The artist writes that “The main idea of the picture is symbolical presentation of the Pioneers led by the spirits of Civilization and Enlightenment to the conquest by cultivation of the Great West.” He also speaks about overcoming the wilderness with plowed fields–as if the current Indigenous inhabitants, such as the Ioway and the Meskwaki, had not already created capable and efficient land management systems.

On the South Lawn, there is a Christopher Columbus Monument that was celebrated in 1938 by five thousand people who showed up for the dedication of the statue on Columbus Day. The statue was put up just a couple years after the Columbus Club of Iowa successfully lobbied to have Walker Park renamed to Columbus Park and have a Columbus monument placed there.*This is a peaceful event led by Indigenous Folx. Please do not take actions that will put Brown and Black folx in jeopardy.

Great Plains Action Society

Some of my photos from last year’s event
Monuments 7/4/2020 – LANDBACK Friends