Ruben McCloskey
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA –– In the aftermath of the flood that ravaged Rapid City and the surrounding area in 1972, then mayor, Don Barnett, called on the Native Community to send forth their leaders and established a Native American Advisory Committee. The duties of the committee were to see that the Native Americans who were affected by the flood’s rampage were recognized and received their fair amount of recovery assistance. The three community leaders chosen to serve on this committee of volunteers who stepped up to the appointment as leaders of this group came from right within the community; the late James Emery Sr., and Robert Rogers along with Ruben McCloskey, who is still in the community. During the recent Remembrance and Renewal commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the flood, the Native American community gathered at the Mother Butler Center in North Rapid City, where it was moved to higher ground following the devastation of the original site prior to the flood. During this gathering, all three leaders were recognized and honored by their own people as well as several guests including Barnett and current Rapid City Mayor, Sam Kooiker. In holding with tradition, a chair draped with a star quilt featured a photo of the departed honoree before the gathering. Family members of the deceased were on hand to accept the gift of a plaque and the quilt as tokens of gratitude for the service that they provided to the entire Native community, not only in the flood aftermath, but in the following years as the Native community sought to reestablish themselves in new locations throughout the town. Ruben McCloskey was on hand to accept his accolades. For all three honorees, traditional Lakota honoring songs were sung as young women from the community draped the quilts around the family members of Emery and Rogers and McCloskey himself. The young women then led the honoree around the dance arena as the entire crowd emptied the seats, lining up to shake hands and express their gratitude and show their respects. Mr. Steve Emery, CRST, served as eyapaha, or announcer, for this honoring. Emery is the grandson of James Emery, Sr. Following the honoring ceremony, the people gathered were invited to step forward into the circle and accept a prayer offered by Billy Good Voice Elk, who prayed for the healing of those in mourning or coming out of mourning. The entire gathering was then called forward to shake hands with one another in recognition of the survival of the Native Community in Rapid City. The ceremonies concluded with a meal provided to all in attendance. (Contact Karin Eagle at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com) More from Native Sun News:
Native Sun News: Remembering the Rapid City flood of June '72 (6/8)
Native Sun News: Powwow set to honor Rapid City flood victims (6/5)
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