Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Day 3 - Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

Began our day heading toward Pine Ridge via the Badlands.  We thought we had seen most of the Badlands last night.  WRONG!!!  Today, we entered from the Wall side and were amazed by the vast expanse of the Badlands.  Just trying to make your way through the Badlands via the shortest possible route is at least 30 miles.  Bill got in lots more photos of this "other worldly" place.  We saw three herd of big horn sheep.  One herd was just lazing around in a grassy, rocky area.  Another herd was close to the road on the side of a steep rock formation.  We saw the third herd on our way back to our hotel this evening.  Traffic was stopped for them.  Part of the herd was on one side of the road and a couple of sheep were on the other side.

Between the Badlands and Pine Ridge is Wounded Knee.  It was surprising that there was no monument.  There was just a large, poorly made sign with historical information about Wounded Knee.  Still I felt as if we were on sacred ground as we looked out over the field on which so many Native Americans were slaughtered.

The drive to Pine Ridge was long -- about 3 hours.  The Reservation was as I had expected -- very depressing.  Virtually all of the houses were either trailers or prefabs.  They were very small.  NONE had nicely kept yards.  Lots of litter and junk.  The town was in no better condition.  Pine Ridge is a large reservation.  It is sad to me that these Americans live in such poverty.  Bill and I discussed the whys and wherefores of it all, but we do not have the answer.  Suffice it to say that these human beings are struggling and have not yet found their way since the massacre of their ancestors at Wounded Knee.

Our destination was the Heritage Center, a Native Indian Art Museum, located on the grounds of Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge.  The campus is located about four miles out of town.  It was by far the the nicest area we saw on the Reservation.  The Heritage Center is located in a very large two story brick building, one of the oldest on the campus.  The gift shop was open, but unfortunately the Museum was closed for end of summer reorganization which takes place this time every year.  We did, however, get to see the gravesite of Chief Red Cloud located on a hilltop very close to the Museum.

A relaxing, beautiful day.

We are heading to the Black Hills tomorrow.

Signing off for today, Bill and Marsha

2 comments:

  1. I'm enjoying your travel blog - it was recommended by our mutual friend Joan.

    My husband & I spent some time on Pine Ridge Reservation and felt the same overwhelming sadness. We became friends with Walter Littlemoon and his wife Jane Ridgway. You can read Walter's story (They Called Me Uncivilized, available at Amazon) and find out about a documentary of his life (The Thick Dark Fog, at Kickstarter.com). Walter's story helped us understand Pine Ridge and Wounded Knee a little better.

    Enjoy the rest of your trip!

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  2. Sheri - Thanks for your comments. We will be certain to read Walter's story and check out the documentary.

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