Warm greetings. Today, I share an urgent action. For many years, my family has helped lead the fight to protect Pe’ Sla, one of the most sacred places — located high in the Black Hills — to the Lakota People. In 2012, we helped make sure it returned to Indigenous care, but now it is threatened again by mining interests.

Fortunately, once again, we land defenders have the opportunity to stop the desecration of this ceremonial ground — but time is very short. May 16 — just days from now — is the deadline to tell the U.S. Forest Service it must not allow mining on this sacred ground! Please see below for the exact points to make, and I also invite you to watch my video and learn a little more about why I care so deeply about this special place.

Please watch my video, and then send your message to the Forest Service. Wopila!

Thankfully, the original May 9 deadline for comments was extended by one week — so let’s make our voices heard! We must not let the Rochford Mineral Exploratory Drilling Project tear up our sacred ground in its quest for graphite.

As our dear friends at the Black Hills Clean Water Alliance (BHCWA) have pointed out, this project is immediately adjacent to — and some proposed drill pads might encroach on — Pe’ Sla. Maps are vague, but, in their words, “by any definition, the project is too close!”

BHCWA’s research tells us that “the project would involve 18 drill pads. Exploration could contaminate water in the upper Rapid Creek watershed, with some proposed drill pads very close to streams. And there is also the potential for contamination or cross-contamination of underground water sources.”

BHCWA suggests that you include the following information when you submit your comment:

• Your name and address
• Why you care about this project and the Black Hills
• The name of the project (Rochford Mineral Exploratory Drilling Project #67838)
• Request for a 60-day extension of the “scoping” public comment period, so everyone has an opportunity to comment
• A reason why you oppose the Rochford Mineral Exploratory Drilling Project. Use your own words, but two good ones are the potential negative environmental impacts and the disruption of traditional ceremonial practices for Lakotas
• Tell the Forest Service to require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for this project

This is an urgent request to protect sacred territory frequently used by many Lakota People for ceremonial practice. It is a pristine ecosystem and beautiful place. Please help us protect Pe’ Sla.

Wopila tanka — thank you, always, for your advocacy!
Tokata Iron Eyes
Spokesperson & Organizer
Lakota People’s Law Project
Sacred Defense Fund