Hey - if you're here looking for new stuff, you're likely going to be disappointed. Check here instead.
May 4, 2006 Dear Friends, It's a chilly May day. Small snow flakes were drifting down casually earlier this morning, later turning to a drizzle. Today Jam and Toast come to greet us in the yard looking positively soaked. Since there have been other things happening in our lives besides the events at Bear Butte in the last several months, I thought I'd at least mention a few of them before returning to the topic of the day. We've successfully distributed and processed a number of Partners in Employment grant applications and feel good about the the positions we're supporting this year. There are a few new ones and a number that are similar to last year. We are very pleased that in February, the MCC Central States board unanimously affirmed a statement acknowledging the sovereignty of the Lakota/Dakota/Nakota Nation (the Oceti Sakowin - Seven Council Fires). MCC Central States now considers the program here to be an international program of MCC. We have continued to be involved with Circle of One Book Forum. We enjoy participating in related book circles at the Porcupine College Center, Prairie Edge Book Store in Rapid City, as well as several locations in eastern South Dakota. Indigenous Issues Forums has also put on a number of film forums in Rapid City that we have attended, most on issues pertaining to the Native community. We appreciate every opportunity to practice talking deeply and respectfully with others about topics that touch so closely to who we are. Carl and I continue to struggle to understand how we can be more accountable to the local community here. We are happy that we had a good first meeting for the MCC Advisory Circle in March. We hope that this advisory group will continue to develop in a good way. At the moment one of our partner organizations (Wakanyeja Pawicayapi) is writing a federal grant for a youth suicide prevention program. Carl and I have been working on the literature search for them. I'm afraid we're not very experienced with writing grants, but we're doing our best (with some much-appreciated help from several of you). In the past several months, I've made a few more attempts at substitute teaching at Porcupine School. A little more successful than last time, but then again that's not saying much! Next week (May 9-11) we are hosting another Discernment Meeting, which I'm really looking forward to. We planned this meeting as a time of reflection. Together we will be continuing the process of learning and discerning how MCC Central States can better support the work here and in other communities, and how the structures of MCC might be changed by what we are learning through community work. It has been refreshing to be part of a decision-making process that gives such thorough time for thoughtful discussion and that seeks input from so many people. It will be good to have some dedicated time to reflect together about what we're learning about healthy decision-making processes and how that can be applied to other parts of our work in MCC. We're also pleased that we can now hold the meetings at the lovely new motel in Kyle. In sadder news, the antenna at the KILI community radio station was hit by lightning a couple weeks ago, and the $70,000 repair is currently beyond their financial capabilities (visit kiliradio.org for more information). Everyone seems to feel a bit lost with KILI off the air. It certainly hinders our partners' community organizing efforts. Which brings me to the latest news on development at Bear Butte... We were up in Sturgis again on Tuesday (May 2) for another Meade County hearing. This time we were opposing a liquor license for Gary Lippold, owner of the Glencoe CampResort (on the other side of Bear Butte from Jay Allen's under-construction biker bar and amphitheater). Lippold is expanding his facility through the construction of his own large outdoor ampitheater where he plans to host Aerosmith and other big name performers for a "Rock'n the Rally" series this summer. All the major news networks in South Dakota were there to cover the hearing. The Rapid City Journal turned out a fairly good front page feature article. For an archive of Bear Butte news coverage, visit http://wiki.mccoln.org/wiki/BearButte/PressClippings. On very short notice, our partners organized close to a hundred people to be present. With the smaller crowd, there was space for most of us inside the room where the hearing took place. Our partners also asked if one of us would testify on behalf of MCC at the hearing -- I elected Carl to the job, and was proud of the job he did. A number of white people from Meade County were there to support our partners, including a representative from the Association of Christian Churches in South Dakota and members of the local ranching community which is affected by the expanding rally development. On the other hand, about fifteen people were there in support of (white) "property rights." I heard more racist comments that day than I care to repeat. Needless to say, there was a lot of tension in the room. It was powerful to see our friends take a stand in the face of such disrespect. Facing a row of blank and indifferent stares from the five white male commissioners, as they shared deeply from their hearts about how important Bear Butte is to their identity as a people. Even after the commissioners attempted several times to cut them off, people continued to line up and testify. Finally, one of the commissioners interrupted the testimony and made a motion to approve the license. Once again, 5-0 in favor, with no discussion. When the commissioners tried to interrupt our neighbor Nick Tilsen in the middle of his testimony, he told them how disrespectful it is to limit the testimony to only a few minutes when so many have traveled hours to be there. He told them, "Today, we're going to talk, and you're going to listen....We're tired of asking for justice, today we're going to demand it." He encouraged people to continue lining up behind him and to come forward and speak, which they did. A few minutes later, the crowd protested when the commissioners stood up and walked out of the room for an "executive session". As they filed out, Nick told them, "You can have your discussion, but have it here in front of the people! If you leave this room, you're walking out on democracy." May 2nd was also the deadline for challenges to the earlier decision to grant Jay Allen's beer license. In addition to a lawsuit filed on behalf of Meade County residents, allies in Meade County collected enough valid petition signatures to put the decision to a referendum vote. The commissioners acknowledged that the petition had enough signatures, but refused to recognize it on the basis that their decision was an "administrative action" and not referable to a county-wide vote. It seems clear that the white political powers of Meade County have no intention of listening to our partners, or even engaging in a discussion of these issues. But a powerful grassroots movement to protect Bear Butte is growing fast and finding its strength among both Native people and non-Native allies. The struggle has only just begun. We'll continue to keep you updated as things develop. You prayers are certainly very much appreciated. So far this spring, we've already experienced an uncanny wave of weekly spring snowstorms slowing the construction of Jay Allen's bar.... Thank you all so much for your love and support. We miss you and hope you are doing well. Respectfully, Karissa and Carl more photos (and past updates) at meyerloewen.net!
