"The Northern Cheyenne Tribe is taking concrete steps in the best way possible to preserve Bear Butte, considered a sacred place by Native Americans.

The tribe has purchased 36 acres at the base of Bear Butte.

Native Americans have complained about expanding business around Bear Butte, especially those that serve the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally. They�ve been trying to stop development and provide buffers.

But that�s difficult to do when land is in private hands.

If Native Americans truly want to make the decisions about such places � and Bear Butte isn�t the only one � the only sure way is to take over the land through purchase."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Tribe did right by buying Bear Butte land (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 4/8)

Relevant Links:
Defenders of the Black Hills - http://www.defendblackhills.org/defenders

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