More than 300 Native people are camped out at Bear Butte in South Dakota to protest encroachment on the sacred site.

Tribal activists from the Plains, the Southwest and as far away as Ecuador have gathered for the Summit of Indigenous Nations. They are working to educate others about the importance of Bear Butte and about their opposition to alcohol and entertainment venues near the mountain.

A march is being planned to coincide with the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally. Thousands of rider are expected to arrive in Sturgis next week.

Get the Story:
Indigenous-rights groups join Bear Butte summit (The Rapid City Journal 8/2)
Tribes Get Ready For Rally March (KELO 8/1)

Relevant Links:
Bear Butte International Alliance - http://matopaha.org/wp
Defenders of the Black Hills - http://www.defendblackhills.org

Related Stories:
Jodi Rave: Indigenous summit at base of Bear Butte (8/1)
Bear Butte camp continues as biker week approaches (7/27)
Man plans topless contests at bar near Bear Butte (6/14)
More beer licenses approved near sacred Bear Butte (7/10)
Major gathering slated at sacred Bear Butte (7/4)
Man plans more development near Bear Butte (6/26)
Native activists work to protect sacred Bear Butte (6/14)
Battle continues over liquor near Bear Butte (05/31)
County blocks vote on beer license near Bear Butte (05/05)
Challenges filed to beer license near Bear Butte (5/4)
County approves liquor license near Bear Butte (5/3)
Protest slated for liquor license near Bear Butte (4/27)
Editorial: Tribe right to buy Bear Butte land (04/10)
Opposition to bar near Bear Butte to continue (4/7)
Editorial: Preserve Bear Butte through land buys (4/6)
Bar near sacred Bear Butte wins beer license (4/5)
Man surprised by opposition to proposed Bear Butte bar (4/4)
White Face: No development near sacred Bear Butte (4/3)
Northern Cheyenne Tribe buys land near Bear Butte (3/23)
Bill to create buffer zone around Bear Butte killed (02/01)
Bill would create buffer zone around Bear Butte (1/27)
Tribes can't collect fees in sacred site case (1/19)
Native American Day at South Dakota Legislature (1/18)
Opinion: Land use plans ignore tribal traditions (12/12)
Editorial: Permanent protection for Bear Butte (11/28)
Proposed bar near Bear Butte still under fire (10/31)
Man to change name, location of Bear Butte bar (10/28)
Respect urged at Bear Butte during high season (08/13)
Non-Indians press for access at sacred Bear Butte (07/16)
Plans for shooting range near sacred site scrapped (01/12)
Developers: Shooting range near Bear Butte still on (12/16)
Plans for shooting range near Bear Butte on hold (12/02)
Developers face deadline on proposed shooting range (11/14)
S.D. commission bans hunting at sacred site (11/07)
Janklow thought of shooting range by sacred site (10/17)
Janklow defends use of grant for shooting range (10/16)
S.D. governor says shooting range grant was OK (10/13)
Lakota group seeks protection of Black Hills (09/19)
S.D. to return grant for Bear Butte shooting range (09/19)
Protections for sacred sites called inadequate (06/19)
Federal funds used for shooting range near sacred site (03/25)
Judge to hear tribal suit against shooting range (3/19)
Four tribes file lawsuit to stop shooting range (03/4)