Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
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"The area known today as the Stronghold was the place where the Lakota (Oglala) along with their allies (Cheyenne, Arapahoe, and other bands of the Titunwe) made a stand to protect themselves from the 7th Calvary who had just murdered over 200 men, women, and children at a small hamlet that today is called Wounded Knee (Dec. 29, 1890).

"Stronghold Table is a sacred site on Oglala Lakota land.Authority there is reserved for sovereign Oglala Lakota people. Badlands National Park is an illegal entity." --Ho Le Miye Yelo, George Tall.

George Tall at Stronghold Table Camp, Rockyford, SD

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ROCKYFORD, SOUTH DAKOTA - The Tokala (traditional police) encampment on the Stronghold is now 26 days old. This morning we were notified that there had been a meeting with the National Park Service (NPS) and BIA on July 16, 2002. Obviously there is a jurisdictional issue in terms of the NPS not recognizing the Oglala Sioux Tribe's (OST) moratorium of May 15, 2002. The BIA and the OST seem to be cowed by the intimidating attitudes of NPS Superintendent William Supernaugh.

We received word on the Stronghold that we were considered "a peaceful demonstration camp, and if [we] exceed that status [we] will be arrested" (Supernaugh). The tribal president, John Steele has finally decided to go over Supernaugh's head in this matter and address this at the Washington, DC level.

Here is how the cards are stacked. NPS has a trail ride scheduled for mid July, excavation from Aug 12-23, and another dig in September. These things were probably planned for quite some time now and it's hard for the NPS to change plans. The camp is established on the Stronghold and some of the things planned were not forth coming for NPS; they are getting itchy.

The only positive part of this whole thing is that for once the people, the IRA Govt. and BIA seem to be on the same side for now. However, no one is pushing the treaty, Treaty of Fort Laramie of September 17, 1851, except the Tokala! I strongly urge other entities to come together in this matter. If we do not protect our grave sites and if we lose the Stronghold, we stand to lose a lot more in terms of how Indian policy may change as a result (good or bad?).

We also urge all supporters to e-mail NPS (Badlands National Park) and comment the concerns of NPS's takeover of treaty lands.

Thank you,

George Tall (Naca-Tokala)

For more information George Tall can be contacted by phone 605-867-2903 or by e-mail. For background information visit the Stronghold Table Camp web site.