Pine Ridge Ponies Get Temporary Reprive

Just in from the Equine Welfare Alliance;

Statement by David Swallow, Jr., Wowitan Yuha Mani
Teton Lakota Spiritual Leader, Sun dance Chief of the Medicine Wheel Sun dance, and a Headman of the Lakota Nation Band of Wana Way Gu (Broken Bow)

*For Immediate Release

Statement Date; May 8th 2010
T
ranscribed To and edited by Keith Rabin
Hau, Mitakuyapi Na Mita Kola.
Mitakuyapi Sunka Wakan Oyate

Lakota Nation, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota
The Lakota people of Pine Ridge South Dakota continue their struggle to protect their Sacred Horses from the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council and the Parks and Recreation Department.
Since June 2009, the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council and the Parks and Recreation (OSTPR) have been removing horses owned by the Lakota People of Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota without permission, without notice and without any warrant issued or receipt. Despite repeated efforts, continued obstacles have made it impossible for the Lakota People to get their horses back.

The horses were to be delivered to the St. Onge Livestock Company LTD by the OSTPR to be auctioned off on Sunday, 5/9/10 as loose horses.

In A statement from Elder and Spiritual leader David Swallow, on May 7, 2010, based on the grounds of trespassing on private property, a temporary injunction was granted by the Tribal Court to stop the "Oglala Sioux Tribe "Parks and Recreation Department" from auctioning off these horses on 5/9/10 [Mothers Day]. (Further details regarding the injunction to follow early next week).

The " Mitakuyapi Sunka Wakan Oyate " is working to establish a designated fund where supporters will be able to donate funds to help return these Sacred horses to the safety and care of The People. Supporters are encouraged not to send any money at this time.


Please watch for updates as to how to help.

Mitakuyapi Sunka Wakan Oyate (Relatives of the Sacred Horses)
Lakota Nation, Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota

Our Horses are sacred to us and they are our relatives.
We are family and we take care of each other and help each other in times of need.

That is the Lakota way.

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Additional Information

We understand that Usha Rao has secured ownership of 16 horses and 2 donkeys. They are back on the reservation and Usha expects to have pictures tomorrow. Usha also expects the letter of ownership from Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority on Monday.

It appears as though they are looking for a new home with adopters or a rescue for this group of horses. We will have information on how to adopt these horses as soon as we have pictures and a contact for you to pass on to your groups.

We will provide information on the other horses as it becomes available.