Mato Paha Spiritual Forum, Rapid City, August 5, 2007

Debra White Plume
Owe Aku, Bring Back the Way
Manderson, SD 57756-0325
605-455-2155 Voice Ph
lakota1@gwtc.net
www.bringbacktheway.com

From Alex White Plume:

All the Lakota holy men will gather, too many years have passed without input or direction for our spirtual leaders. We will obey their decision.
Wopila, Alex White Plume

The Mato Paha Spiritual Forum: Religious Freedom and Human Rights will be held on
Sunday, August 5, 2007 beginning at 1:00pm in the afternoon at the Mother Butler
Center in Rapid City, South Dakota.

The Forum will gather Traditional Healers (Medicine Men) and Spiritual Leaders
from the Oglala Band, Sicanju Band, Hohwoju Band of the Lakota Nation, and the
Mdewakantonwan Band, and Sissetonwan Band of the Dakota Nation, and Arapahoe and
Cheyenne Nations. The Healers and Leaders will come together to provide ancestral
teachings regarding the spiritual significance of Bear Butte (Mato Paha) to the
Oceti Sakowin (Great Sioux Nation) in the spiritual and cultural life-way of the
people.

Guest speakers also include Chief Oliver Red Cloud of the Lakota
Nation, Chief Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Onondaga Nation, noted scholar Henrietta Mann, Cheyenne; and stateswoman Rosalie Little Thunder of the Seventh
Generation Fund and South Dakota Peace and Justice. Reverend Gail Arnold of the SD
Association of Christian Churches and John Sprague of the Christian Peacemaker Team
will speak as well regarding Human Rights and Religious Freedom.

The Mato Paha Forum is the first time in decades that Traditional
Healers (Medicine Men) from across many Tribal Nations have come together in
one forum to speak to the people regarding sacred places and the traditional Lakota
way of life, as well as sharing the Forum with the Christian Churches from the
region, and from a global organization such as the Christian Peacemaker Team.
Organizers of the Forum have scheduled this event to provide awareness to the
general public in light of the increasing controversy over development related to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that is occurring near Bear Butte.

The Guest Speakers are each well-known in the Human Rights and Freedom
of Religion arena, from their work in their own Tribal Nation communities
to organizations with a global view and impact.

The Mato Paha Forum is open to all, and all people from all walks of
life are welcome to attend. There will be Lakota Drum Groups and Singers present
and an evening meal is offered to all participants.

The Mato Paha Forum is sponsored by Bring Back the Way, the Black Hills
Sioux Nation Treaty Council, Horse Owner’s Society, and the Seventh
Generation Fund.

For more information please call Debra White Plume 605-455-2155.