The Oglala Lakota Nation Wacipi Rodeo Fair took place August 4-7, 2016, in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Photo by Renee West
Back Home Again To See Family And Friends
Off the Rez Ramblings
By Leon Matthews
Lakota Country Times Columnist
lakotacountrytimes.com Off the Rez Ramblings returns to the Rez during the Oglala Nation Fair and Rodeo and it was great to see many of my friends and family. After spending 21 months off the Rez it was refreshing to be home for a few days. We were delayed a day flying in to Rapid City and there are many building projects going on there but I was able to find a nice iced coffee at Dunn Brothers, it was good and I was able to stay up for 24 hours. I was traveling with my girlfriend and she is such a great traveler and sometimes I can be difficult but this was going to be a bucket list trip for both of us. I wanted to see my granddaughters and my children at the same time. Wow, they are a blessing and hope they continue to live out their dreams. I was able to feed my dog a piece of bacon and he knew me right away. Many people did not recognize me since I have long hair now, lost a few pounds and mostly stopped the caffeine. Well we stayed in the Southern Hills and it was quiet and I never knew Hot Springs could be so slow and the town felt like it was dying, restaurants closed and struggling. I was ready to get some Liver Cheese because out here in Philly I have not found the deli meat on the shelves. My mom would love the sandwich and I guess I wanted to feel my mother, it is a great time when you can remember the great times with food and family. Went to the Higher Ground and greeted the family and let them know I was in the area and oh yeah it was my birthday, August 2nd. We drove through the Rez all the way to Kyle and had a Burrito at Angie's Burrito Stand which was very good. We traveled the next day to Wyoming and stayed in Buffalo and it was pretty cool to have a chicken fried steak that was perfect and I realize how important it is to have beef from the local area. We were planning to go up to Medicine Wheel Mountain and I did not know what I was up against but my girlfriend has wanted to go there and say a prayer. Oh we were driving to the mountain and we kept moving up and stopped and we starting seeing signs of altitudes. I had no clue of what I was in for when we parked on the side of a mountain and talked to the ranger and I shared some of my thoughts about the Cangleska but they were telling us they did not know who made the wheel. I heard that it was done ten thousand years ago and the more recent studies show it was star knowledge so the debates can go on but I knew it was a sacred site. We finished being at the medicine wheel and started walking I knew we were in trouble when my girlfriend lit a cigarette and there was hardly any smoke. No oxygen when you are up 10,000 feet. It was just as hard going down the mountain as walking up. I made it so I was pretty happy.
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The pow wow was great on Friday and Saturday as I introduced my girlfriend to many friends and family. I loved that as she has been amazing for me and has encouraged me when I have struggled to be away from home. We cooked at Herman’s and made some corn and burgers and dogs. It was cool to be able to visit with family and friends. I do miss Pine Ridge but I know God has me here for a reason and now I have a new church I am attending. Last little story; I was at the airport in Rapid City waiting to come back to Philly and Charlie Z walks up to me and says hello. It was great to see him as I do not think has aged and looks great. We were being rerouted through Denver and so we were going to be in Denver overnight. It was so awesome to hear stories from Coach Charlie as my girlfriend had the opportunity to as if I was as good as I say I was as a basketball player. I am sure I was a little embarrassed but Charlie told her that I was a shooter and a half. I of course smiled and she finally got to hear another opinion. I wanted to thank Coach Zimiga for all of the lives he touched because even though we had to run lots of miles and suicides you will always be one of the great role models in Thorpe History. So I personally thank for making us the young men and women that we are today. Wopila. (Leon Matthews can be reached at blunthorn@gmail.com) Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter and download the new Lakota Country Times app today.
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