Riders show respect and honor veterans

STURGIS – On August 11, in Sturgis at the Indian Motorcycle of Sturgis hundreds of Indigenous motorcyclists gathered for the third annual Veteran Warriors Ride. This year was the “National Run.”

 

On arriving at the Indian Motorcycle dealership you see hundreds of Indigenous bikers and bikes from all over the world coming together for one common goal, to show respect and honor the Veterans. Everyone is laughing and smiling preparing for the ride, they have a tent with snacks and beverages for all in attendance.

Holding the door to the Indian Motorcycle dealership for each person walking through the store was Brian Duffy who said, “This ride is for Veterans and we come together to support them. We are doing this for the community as well as spreading our righteousness.”

When the ride starts all you hear is the thundering roar of each bike revving up with energy of the Lakota Spirit of each rider on their bikes. The ride is in honor of the indigenous, warriors and homeless veterans, and the shelter less relatives.

After the Veterans Warrior Ride, the bikers host an annual meal that is catered in Rapid City at the Band Shell in Memorial Park. The riders highlight the Homeless Veterans issue as well as bring food for the BBQ that was served to all our homeless relatives.

Club Redrum is the largest Indigenous based biker club in the world. Redrum has chapters in Brazil, New Zealand, Canada and they are warriors for the people. The Redrum bike club serves the community in a good way. They believe that peace comes first and they walk traditionally. They want to show the people that they care, and that they are responsible for their actions even as a biker club. 

Anthony Linklater, from Saskatchewan donated $1,000 to the Redrum bike club honoring the late Cree Korean Veteran George Benson. 

Pat Mohawk, and Chris Pease are part of the Raritan Chapter who were in attendance this year for the ride. 

Cliff Matias is a Quechua and Taino native in his fourth year doing this ride. Cheeno, a Florida resident, is the president of the Clausa chapter. They believe in spreading positivity on two wheels.

Cory Rose, a member of the club attending the ride, said, “What the country is missing is unity, we need more brotherhood and sisterhood.”

Teko Alejo, a photographer at the ride, also a member of the club in attendance with the ride said, “On this National Run we unite as brothers and sisters. We celebrate camaraderie, and we celebrate resistance. There are many chapters who come together for this ride.”

In 2006 was the first national ride in Michigan, they recently had a ride in Arizona also at the San Carlos Apache Reservation.

Teko said, “We also highlight other issues such as the MMIW run, we partner with the Red Spirit Chapter riders during this ride as well as the Wounded Knee run which was held a week ago.”

Another Member of the ride was Chris Londo he said, “It is great being together. It is good to see Native people doing good things and showing brotherhood and sisterhood.”

April LaMere is a member of the Red Spirit bike club who rode in from Ontario Canada. She is part of the Water Clan and she was celebrating her fifth year of joining the ride.

Oglala Sioux Tribe Veterans Officer Shawnee Red Bear-Keith helped organize the ride. Some of her fellow sister riders; Amanda Lovin Summers, Cori Fulton, Ashley Taylor, Hyla Mendelous, Natalie Rivera, Trenda Neff, Serena Selumber, April LaMere, Denise Dominque, and Dena Gonzales all ride together to Support and Honor the Veterans as well as shedding light on the MMIW.

The Oglala Drifters bike club joined the ride this year, promoting their backpack school drive for Red Shirt school kids organized by Dustin Mcollom. 

(Contact Christopher Pina at staffwriter3@nativesunnews.today)

 

 

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