Veterans to walk across Pine Ridge Reservation

Zuya Akicita Color Guard L-R: William Takes Him First, Shawnee Red Bear, Sid Reddest, Al Loafer, Kim Conroy, Cornell Reddest, Rodney Bad Hand. (Photo Courtesy: Shawnee Red Bear)

PINE RIDGE – Beginning on the day after Veteran’s Day this year, a group of veterans and their supporters will walk across the Pine Ridge Reservation.
The Vets Walk will begin on the eastern boundary of the reservation, twenty-two miles east of the town of Wanblee on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 a.m. and end on the western boundary of the reservation between Buffalo Gap and Cuny Table on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m.
Organized by Oglala Sioux Tribal Veteran Service Officer, Shawnee Red Bear and Cameron Lafferty of the OST Homeless Veteran Shelter, the goal of the Vets Walk is to honor the past and present Lakota veterans of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
The Lakota hold veterans in high regard. These men and women are placed on a highly respected status for their dedication to their community and for serving in the armed services. Native Americans enter into the branches of the military at a much higher rate than other cultural groups.
According to Red Bear, “Anyone can participate, we will have liability waivers for the public to sign.” The organizer would like to invite the public, veterans, service members and their supporters to come to the walk. There will be a series of four nights of camping along the way.
On the first night, walkers will camp in the town of Wanblee and on night two, those in attendance will be camping at the Veterans Lakota Freedom Cemetery. This cemetery was dedicated on July 9, 2014, and is the resting place of Oglala Lakota veterans. The first burial was that of Eugene Long Soldier on Aug. 22, 2014. Veteran’s Lakota Freedom Cemetery is located in the town of Kyle. “The finish of day two will conclude at the veterans’ cemetery, we are asking for volunteers to help make 25 wreaths to be laid on each veteran’s grave buried there,” Red Bear said.
On the third night of camping, walkers will rest near Thunder Valley by the town of Porcupine. Thunder Valley has a number of initiatives improving the lives of tribal members, including housing, language preservation, and youth leadership.
The ‘stronghold’ behind Rockyford will be the site of the fourth night of camping. Throughout the course of the reservation-wide journey, organizers hope to have speakers and words of prayer for the veterans and for those participating. “I plan to have local veterans offer words of encouragement and say a prayer before and after,” said Red Bear.
A grassroots event such as this could not be made possible without the support of the community. Along the route, organizers would like to invite local citizens to participate or provide needed services.
“If anyone would like to bring water or Gatorade during the walk that would be greatly appreciated,” said Red Bear. “Small snacks or protein bars, beef jerky is really what we would want. We need volunteers to help drive and set up and breakdown camp for us.” The organizers would like to have drivers provide safety in pilot vehicles.
Shawnee Red Bear is a veteran, as well. She served in the United States Marine Corp from 2009 to 2013, 0431 Logistical Embarkation Specialist, stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA. In 2010, she was deployed to Afghanistan, Helmand Province, Garmsir District with the Female Engagement Team 10-2. She began her journey as Oglala Sioux Tribal Veteran Service Officer in April, 2018.
“Native American rural veterans face many issues. My biggest concern is the ability to identify all veterans living on and off our reservation,” she said. “Rather than focus on the issues, I’d like to focus on the walk. It could bring much needed awareness to the veterans of our tribe.”
Red Bear and Lafferty would like to keep the focus of the Vets Walk on the veterans who have served and are serving. “This walk is simply for myself and Cameron to honor veterans. We appreciate the support and we are always looking for volunteers.”

(Contact Richie Richards at richie4175@gmail.com)

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