Copyright © 2000 NLThomas
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The bones of the relatives of the Yankton Sioux Tribe who laid exposed for more than a month on a dry lakebed in the White Swan area will finally be laid to rest on February 17, 2000. The remains spent the last fifty years beneath the waters of Lake Francis Case before low water conditions revealed them scattered on the sand by wave action. About thirty gravesites were originally visible through the sand, in addition to numerous human bones and other items.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers promised tribal members that their relatives in the St. Philips Cemetery would be moved after condemning the land to build the Fort Randall Dam and reservoir back in 1950. The cemetery was used as recently as 1949, and as early as 1838 when the church built their cemetery atop an existing burial grounds. Earlier remains are likely at the site and prehistoric artifacts have also been found there.

Tribal members collected the loose, scattered remains on January 19, 2000, more than a month after they were discovered. The Tribe wanted to ensure the safety of the remains immediately, but the Corps would not allow it and violated federal law in the handling of the matter, which resulted in a federal court case.

The remains have been protected at the site by tribal members who established an encampment there. Tribal members have stayed at the encampment to watch over the remains and keep them safe from looters.

On February 17, 2000, the Yankton Sioux Tribe will host an intertribal gathering to discuss Native American graves protection and repatriation issues. The event will begin at 8:00 am at the Fort Randall Casino and will feature speakers from the YST, the State Historical Society, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and the Army Corps of Engineers. At around 2:00 pm there will be a procession from the Casino to the White Swan burial site for the re-burial ceremony.

The public and the media are invited to attend these events, but will not be allowed to photograph or videotape the actual burial ceremony. Interviews may be arranged in advance, and photo opportunities will be available at the workshop and at the encampment. Please contact Tessa Lehto at the above numbers to make arrangements.

Rooms may be available at the Fort Randall Casino Hotel (605) 487-7871.