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Today Bear Butte has two sets of trails
reflecting the importance of this site to the
Native American people and the immigrants who
came to this land. The ceremonial trail,
(starting near the center of the photo here and
running roughly to the right), and the hiking
trail, (starting at the same point and running
roughly to the left) reflect the two, often
competing, uses of the site: spiritual and
recreational. |
 The site
is administered under the governmental authority of the
State of South Dakota whose authority is announced in
this welcoming sign near the entrance to what is known as
'Bear Butte State Park'. Three
bronze tablets located near the entrance disclose, even
in the official governmental markings at the site, the
dual nature of the site which is the source of the
continuing conflict over its use. The tablets and their
inscriptions below show the importance of the site to the
settlers as a land mark and historic place, and
acknowledges the spiritual importance of the site to the
'Plains Indians' - Cheyenne (Tsistsistas)
and Sioux (Lakota).
Bear Butte Has Been Designated a
Registered National Landmark under the provision of the
Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1955 This site possesses
exceptional value in illustrating the natural history of
the United States U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service 1965
Bear Butte Entered into the National
Register of Historic Places June 19, 1973 Under the
National Preservation Act of October 15, 1966
Bear Butte was placed in the National Register because of
its Spiritual Value to the Plains Indians as well as its
past as a navigational landmark to early travelers.
Sacred Mountain of the Plains Indian
Noavosse (Cheyenne)
| The dual nature of the site is more formally
acknowledged in this South Dakota State Park sign
which announces that a fee for use of the trails
is required EXCEPT in cases of peple using the
trails for religious purposes. Thus both hikers
and religious seekers are permitted on the trails
but they are treated differently for fee
purposes. |
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Here we see the trail contact station inside the park.
From it, the hiking and ceremonial trails circle out and
back to the left and right respectively. The contact
station continues the pattern we have seen so far:
Intimate intertwining of two uses to which the site has
been committed by two different people under the
governmental authority of the state. The contact station
displays a trail map as well as a number of notices which
again testify to the two different types of significance
accorded to the site by two different peoples: spiritual
and recreational. This can be seen in the text of several
of the notices set forth below.
Two
notices are posted here on one of the bulletin
boards inside the trail contact station.
To the left is the
following:
WELCOME TO BEAR BUTTE
We did not think of the great open plains,
the beautiful rolling hills, and winding streams
with tangled growth as wild. Earth was beautiful
and we were surrounded with the blessings of the
Great Mystery.
Luther
Standing Bear
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To the right of this
sign is the following: This
Mountain is a dynamic and living cathedral. It is
a sacred place. We are all visitors of this
special place. Some of us come for spiritual
renewal, some to be closer to nature, and some to
learn. Whatever the reason, we must respect this
site and the people gathered here. To ensure a
positive experience for all, we ask that you
observe the following:
*This trail is for foot travel only.
Please stay on the designated trails, shortcuts
cause erosion.
*Move quietly and speak only in a whisper.
If you should encounter someone worshipping near
the trail, go by slowly and quietly.
*Colorful prayer cloths and tobacco ties
represent prayers and should not be disturbed.
*The use of video and still
cameras is limited to recording images of Bear
Butte's scenic and natural beauty. DO NOT
photograph or videotape ceremonies, sweat lodges
or ceremonial objects.
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This bulletin board at the
trail contact station includes a map of the
ceremonial trail on Bear Butte, an Ancient
Sioux Prayer to the 4 Winds, and
the following notice:
Respect the Mountain A Sacred
Shrine. Stay on marked trails when hiking.
Indians may be praying or fasting near the
trails. Do not disturb them. Leave prayer clothes
and other Indian religious articles in place.
Dispose of litter properly.
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Next to the map showing the
ceremonial trail is posted another notice which reads as
follows:
A Religions Shrine. Ancestors of the
Kiawas, Mandan, Arkiara, Crow, Sioux, and Cheyenne
Indians came here to seek visions and pray. As Mount
Sinai is to the Christians and Mecca is to the Moslems,
Bear Butte is to the Plains Indians - a most sacred
spiritual place. Many Indians today continue to have
faith in the beliefs of natural power in the universe and
they recognize the similarity between their Great Spirit
and the God of the white man. As the different Christian
groups each have their own church, many Indians feel they
too are entitled to worship in their traditional ways.
For many tribes Bear Butte is their church.
Please respect the beliefs of the
Indian people who visit the 'wilderness' areas of this
mountain to pray and fast. Stay on the marked trail and
avoid the special ritual areas.
Hiking trail hours 9-7 daily,
Ceremonial Trails 9-7 daily
For more detail on the recent conflict
over the site, focusing on the use of the site permitted
by the ceremonial and recreational trails as discussed in
the 1983 case of Fools Crow v. Gullet, including
an edited version of the court/s opinion, proceed to the Summary of the Conflict Over the Site.
All Rights Reserved, 1995.
Last update: 09-12-95
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