A Poem

My Friends and Family:-) If I may, would like to share a poem with you.:-) Today the 29 th of December is the day at Pine Ridge Reservations when they are having a ceremony at Wounded Knee in respect and honor for those fallen in 1890 and for the completion of the trek on that same route by Oomaka Tokatakiya--Future Generations. I am honored to share this with you and hope that you enjoy it. Erth:-) This poem has been written in honor and respect for the trek from Cheyenne River to Wounded Knee Creek in 1890 and the recurring riders who completed their latest journey on December 28th, 1998. May this poem honor the Spirits of those who died for their strength, their courage and their convictions. May this poem honor also, the strength, courage and convictions of these riders----Oomaka Tokatakiya who arrived on December 28th 1998 to " pick up the people's dream" to mend the Sacred Hoop of the Lakota People. " LAKOTA DREAM" OOMAKA TOKATAKIYA FUTURE GENERATIONS {S dthdnc2 The ride began that winters day, Mid thunderous hooves-------Mother Earth did pray. Her People fled-----a trek-----from harm, As Earth's great Spirits------sound alarm. ~ {S drumsong The drumbeats carry-----through the snow, Encourage strength as fierce winds blow. The sick, the old-----with children too, Seek peace and hope to live anew. ~ {S tear The same from those who's hearts were cold, Brings tears of sorrow----from young and old. Our Mother too----cries tears of pain, Cavalry's hearts-------show whos to blame. ~ The Spirits join with those in trek, To honor, pray and pay respect. The sage burns full in memories still, As present trek-------that journey's fulfilled. ~ The Trek------which ended once in shame, Now resumes for years------in honor claimed. Reclaim in spirit, strength and peace, For Hoops renewal-------and souls release. ~ {S journey The ride now continues to Wounded Knee, The Future Generations---Oomaka Tokatakiya. We ride with them------in heart and soul, To heal the Hoop--------and honor all. ~ The cold is there-------we feel it's sting, Of memories full-----it's sadness brings. Remind us of a year long past, But strength grows through-------toward peace------at last. ~ {S honor To bring the Old with honor filled, Old Ways to live------all air is stilled. Earth's joy to feel that strength-------comes full, Old Ways to live-----" you feel the pull?" ~ The drumbeats through the Earth are felt, With hooves and hearts------Earth's creatures knelt. Connect Creators love for all, The Riders songs-------they're Mother's call. ~ {S siouxflt We know the families----thier bond----it's true, They're those who lived-----to carry through. Their strength through heart----with Spirit Guides, Are historys link to those who died. ~ " The Eagle cries!"{S eagle " The Buffalo rise!" {S buffalo The Four Winds carry strength to those who ride. Mother Earth gives blessing-----Her People-------pray, The Hoop----to heal-------it's day by day. ~ {S lakotav The Riders' songs through strength of will, Their purpose------strong-----with honor still. Gives Hoop a strength to mend through Earth, " Lakota Dream"-------a joy-----rebirth!! ~ {S honor Kici ota yuonihan With much respect Mitakuye Oyasin All my Relations Dec 28 and 29th,1998 1998 Copyright ErthAvengr

Oomaka Tokatakiya to begin Big Foot ride By Karen L. Testerman Today staff Northern Plains Bureau   LITTLE EAGLE, S.D. - For the fifth winter, young horseback riders are making a 300-mile trek across South Dakota in memory of Chief Big Foot and his people.   Oomaka Tokatakiya  - Future Generations, began the crucial two-week ride Dec. 15, in memory of more than 350 Lakota, mostly old men, women and children, massacred by the U.S. Army at Wounded Knee in 1890.   Chief Big Foot and his Mniconjou and members of Sitting Bull's Hunkpapa bands, are ancestors of countless Lakota still living on the Standing Rock, Cheyenne River and Pine Ridge Indian reservations. Many riders and supporters are descendants of those who trekked across the land to their peril in Wounded Knee.   "I did not know then how much was ended, " Black Elk said of the massacre. "A people's dream died there in the bloody mud. [Now] the nation's hoop is broken and scattered."   At the urging of many Lakota elders, the Oomaka Tokatakiya have picked up the people's dream and the ride is their effort to mend the Sacred Hoop of the Lakota people.   The young riders will lead their mounts down the same valleys and across the same rolling plains along which Chief Big Foot's people and members of Sitting Bull's bands fled. Most were half-naked and on foot, in fear of retribution from the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry, hoping to find refuge at the Pine Ridge Agency.   The spiritual journey will end at Wounded Knee Creek on Dec. 28, as did the lives of those who were slain there 100-years ago.   There will be a memorial ceremony at the mass gravesite Dec. 29 to honor people who, defenseless after inconceivable hardship in their tortuous mid-winter flight, had surrendered and camped under a flag of truce, only to be disarmed and murdered by U.S. soldiers.   On that cold, bitter morning, the Lakota say the Sacred Hoop was broken but not the spirit of the Lakota people.   Cheyenne River Sioux tribal member Karen Ducheneaux, a veteran rider, said Lakota people still suffer religious persecution, although in these "enlightened" times it's not always as apparent as it was in 1890.   "Many non-Indians still believe in Manifest Destiny; that the Lakota must, inevitably, assimilate and give up their beautiful ways," she said.   This threat to the Lakota way of life and the indomitable spirit of the Lakota, are the compelling factors for the Oomaka Tokatakiya to follow, as closely as possible, the footsteps of their ancestors, she said.   As Ducheneaux prepared for the long ride, she said it is with respect, honor and modesty that these young riders, the Future Generations, make their perilous journey É so the people will not forget. (c)1998 Indian Country Today