Support our 34th Annual Sun Dance!

Loretta and I, sponsors of the Afraid of Bear - American Horse Tiospaye Sun Dance, have sundanced each year of our 48-year marriage. When our Tiospaye elders committed to hosting our own Sun Dance in 1989, we first gathered at Mato Tipila (Devil's Tower). After 10 years, our elders led us into the Black Hills proper, saying we have to "use it or lose it." We danced for 20 years at the Wild Horse Sanctuary until it became a conservation site that no longer allowed certain activities, like fires. We then approached the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribal leaders requesting permission to dance on their land. They agreed to let us use the site for four years. In exchange, we would care for the land, maintain the tipis and gravel road, repair and improve the kitchen structures.

This year marks the end of that four-year agreement.

On March 6, Tiospaye elders journeyed to Flandreau, some six hours from Pine Ridge. We were invited into Council chambers where we formally asked the tribe's leaders to permit us to host Sun Dance on their land for another four years.

We arrived with purpose, sacred foods and gifts. We fed each council member, then wrapped a star quilt around their shoulders. Tied beaded mocassins onto their feet. We wanted to express gratitude to them. Mirror their generosity to us by reciprocating in our way.

Our use of the Flandreau Santee Sioux land is both an honor and an inspiration. It inspires us to lay plans now to someday own a permanent Sun Dance site in the sacred Hills. Until then, we honor this land and imbue it with our prayers as we thank the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Council for their unanimous endorsement of our presence for another 4 years.

Wopila to our Sun Dance community for your donations totaling over $14,000 last year. We ask again for your "big help" as we count the days to our re-gathering at the summit of the He Sapa.

Tom and Loretta

Flandreau, South Dakota, March 6, 2023