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Group plans for prayer group at Bear Butte during rally
Encampment scheduled Aug. 1-12 on Northern Cheyenne Tribe property
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FarkSTURGIS -- An American Indian group will maintain a spiritual encampment near the base of Bear Butte during the Sturgis motorcycle rally, with prayers dedicated to the protection of the rocky mountain held sacred by many tribes.
Participants in the Bear Butte Prayer Gathering also will pray for the protection of indigenous nations and their sacred sites, U.S. military personnel, nations that are being hurt by armed conflicts, starving people of the world and the environmental effects of global warming.
Tamra Brennan of Sturgis, a member of the working committee that is organizing the encampment, said it should not be called or considered a protest action.
"We're not going to do any marches or things like that," she said. "This is not a protest at all. It's strictly a peaceful prayer camp."
Organizers will maintain the camp Aug. 1-12 on property owned by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe along S.D. Highway 79 on the west side of the mountain. It will be a traditional American Indian camp with lodges but no open fires.
People taking part in the prayer gathering may come and go or stay at the camp, Brennan said. Non-Indians and motorcycle riders are welcome, if they come in the right spirit and show proper respect.
"Everybody is welcome, as long as they come in a peaceful way and they come to pray," Brennan said.
Bear Butte was the focus of protest marches and demonstrations during the motorcycle rally last year. Protest participants and organizers were critical of rally-related developments coming closer to Bear Butte and unsuccessfully sought restrictions on that development from Meade County officials. They also asked bikers attending the rally to avoid driving to or past Bear Butte on Highway 79 to reduce noise and activities that could disturb the tranquility of the mountain and spiritual peace of worshippers.
Some of those who took part in the protests are now organizing the prayer gathering this year, which will coincide with the rally. The well-known motorcycle gathering is scheduled from Aug. 6-12, but really begins a few days sooner.
"We kind of put our efforts together to do something a little more peaceful," Brennan said.
The prayer-camp area will be near the entrance to Bear Butte State Park. Alcohol, drugs and weapons will be banned from the camp. Tape recorders and video equipment will be allowed only when and where authorized by encampment coordinators, a release by the working groups said.
News reporters will be required to check in with authorities at the gathering, to limit disruptions of the worshippers, Brennan said.
"We're not going to allow TV camera crews to just walk around," she said. "We will designate one or two members to deal with the media when they come. We just don't want people videotaping or taking pictures when people are praying."
The Northern Cheyenne Military Society will police the camp and work with local law enforcement officials to help keep order and maintain respect for the mountain, the release said.
The working group is taking donations to help cover costs of the prayer gathering at Bear Butte International Alliance, Box 4232, Sturgis, S.D. 57785. Donations should be marked specifically for the prayer gathering.
For more information, go to www.bearbutteprayergathering.org
Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com
This trail leading toward Bear Butte is near the site of a prayer gathering planned for Aug. 1-12 on land owned by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Participants in the peaceful encampment, which will be held during the Sturgis motorcycle rally, will pray for the butte, as well as for indigenous nations and their sacred sights and other needs. (Jason Gross, Meade County times)
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