Healing the community at Wounded Knee

WOUNDED KNEE – A gathering of the Wounded Knee Community Center Committee was held on Wednesday, July 24 at the large, unfinished community center built approximately 20 years ago. It is a massive building without running water that has been waiting to be completed for two decades.

The opening prayer was given by Robert Thunder Horse whose friendly dog parked himself in the center of those gathered, acting as a sort of master of ceremony. Fifteen people were in attendance on this sweltering hot evening, meeting with one standing fan in an attempt to cool off the massive space, to no avail. The meeting began at 6:30 in the evening and was chaired by James Adams, the Chairman of the Wounded Knee Community Board. At times it was difficult for the audience to hear what was said as no one had brought a microphone to the meeting.

It was stated that at the previous meeting, the committee was not able to get through their agenda as too many people were telling stories. The need to stay on topic was discussed and emphasized for the good of getting things done.

Thunder Horse raised the point that he would like to take a vote on tearing down the round building at the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre that has been used at one time as a museum for Wounded Knee. The original use for the building was to be a visitors center and it was noted that Leola One Feather had helped to build it. The 40 acres surrounding the mass grave cannot be used to make money so there are restrictions in place in terms of what is an acceptable purpose for the structure which has fallen into disrepair and in recent years, half of the metal roof has been taken off and stolen by one individual. Parts of the roof are laying on the ground around the building.

It was noted that when the church at Wounded Knee would not give out the key for people to use the space, the round building was used as a substitute. Leola noted that Alex White Plume had been trying to get a visitors center built at Rocky Ford and that the round building was built to keep out controls. If it comes down then the national parks service needs to give Wounded Knee something to replace it. The building belongs to the Wounded Knee community so it is for the community to decide whether or not to tear it down. People took a vote and decided to take around a petition to the residents of the town of Wounded Knee to decide what they would like to see happen with the round building which has been a symbol of the 1973 Occupation of Wounded Knee for many decades. 

A decision has been tabled for the time being until the residents of the town have had the time to express their thoughts. Water and sewer would need to be hooked up. People have been coming in and stealing what they want from the building which is a serious problem. The building stands on tribal land so the land office will want to know what is being done with it.

 

It should be noted that this derelict building is a magnet for people abusing alcohol and drugs and in its current condition adds to the lack of safety in the area while contributing to increase in crime.

The Descendants of Survivors of the Wounded Knee Massacre do not want anything from 1890 in that building. Company F Troop was camped at the sight of that building. It could be a place where people can stop or rest if they need a place while coming through the Wounded Knee community.  One problem is that people do not need to be sitting outside asking for money or selling their arts and crafts.  An organized place for the sale of arts and crafts should be created for the good of the members of the community so that they can sell their bead work and other crafts.  A cooperative gallery could be established for the good of the people.  The fact was raised that not one of the community members attending this meeting had a job in the Wounded Knee school district.  Beginning their own 501c3 organization was discussed.  Setting up a Post Office Box for the committee was agreed on and Leola One Feather was appointed secretary of the committee to take minutes of all of their meetings and circulate these minutes to the residents of Wounded Knee.  In a shout-out to the film “Field of Dreams” someone said, “If you build it, they will come.”  It is a universal concept that when the energy is expended to accomplish something positive, the positive response will follow.  This building is an asset to the Wounded Knee community and the funds need to be found to give the community a fully functional building with running water and a commercial kitchen so that income can be generated for projects on an ongoing basis.  It is the responsibility of the district tribal council member and Oglala Sioux Tribe to make this happen.  A building such as this can be a place with endless uses but it needs to be completed first.

The committee discussed organizing events at the community center building as a means to make the money needed to complete the building.  People discussed starting a cultural program for the youth living in Wounded Knee.  The young people need help in order to find the inspiration to develop their own creativity.

Someone raised the point that the Old Big Foot Trail needs to be preserved and protected and that the roads and infrastructure needs to be sound.

Leola One Feather encouraged attendees to contact the SEVA Foundation if they needed help with their well running out of water.

The meeting concluded with the treat of fry bread and wojapi made by Edward White Dress which was enjoyed by all.

For more information on the Wounded Knee Community Center, please call Leola One Feather at 605 867 1264.

 

Contact Mia Feroleto at mia.feroleto@gmail.com.

 

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