Recent Posts
June 5, 2008
Rainforest Foundation, USChristine Halvorson is the current Program Director and Interim Director of the Rainforest Foundation US.
I've worked on indigenous rights & environmental issues in the Amazon for the past 17 years. Rainforest Foundation US is part of a network of organizations which supports projects in all of the major tropical rainforest regions of the world. We work in partnership with indigenous and grassroots organizations, and support their efforts by providing a mix of funding, technical support, and advocacy. We were founded in 1989 by Sting and Trudie Styler, around the time of the first Altamira meeting, in 1989...
MAY 19-23, 2008: The Xingu Encounter 2008 was a 5-day mass gathering of over 1,000 Brazilian Amazon Indians and their allies to protest the development and construction of government-supported hydroelectric dam projects on the Xingu River. Much discussion and emphasis was placed on protest of the Belo Monte Dam, whose construction would result in the displacement of 500 indigenous Brazilians, and 16,000 other people, create the need for the construction of four other dams to store water during the dry season and also destroy the natural resources upon which these local people survive. The Xingu Encounter 2008 was the largest gathering in almost twenty years in the Amazon by indigenous people. Its focus this year was the Belo Monte Dam, but the week was also an intensified follow-up to the rally of 1989 in Altamira when Amazon Indians successfully guaranteed the cancellation of World Bank loans for dams and dam plans on the Xingu River. The river would be safe for more than a decade, but it was necessary once again, for the Kayapó, Parakanã, Asurini and other indigenous groups to join forces in defense of the Xingu and of their lives. For more info on this Altamira meeting, take a look at our website, at http://www.rainforestfoundation.org/?q=en/node/169. Another good place is IRN's website
Protect Sacred Sites, Indigenous People One NationTamra (tel: 605-347-9653) is Eastern Cherokee and resides in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Protect Sacred Sites, Indigenous People One Nation is a grass roots organization, was founded in 2005 by Tamra Brennan.
Our organization has been actively involved in the protection of Bear Butte for several years. Currently our organization is leading the campaign to Protect Bear Butte, in addition to continuing the struggle, with the on-going efforts to protect sacred sites across the country. If there is time, remind me.......I am hosting the Honor Sacred Sites Day Gathering at Bear Butte, in conjunction with Arvol's WPPD on June 21st. just want to let folks know about it as well. I am also having a meeting on Wednesday afternoon with the new owners Target Logistics, and have invited all the Tribal Leaders to attend. I hope some of them attend. So, probably will have some info from that meeting as well.
Here is a update on what is currently transpiring: Unfortunately, there have been several developments since the summer of 2006. Expansions of Broken Spoke Campground, (formally known as Jay Allen's, Sturgis County Line) are in progress and things are progressively getting worse. Jay Allen has recently transferred the location to a multi-million dollar Corporation called Target Companies, dba Target Logistics. They are currently have plans to expand the venue. I have great concerns about this corporations interest in this location at Bear Butte. They were founded in 1978 and have in excess of $50M in capital. Some of their clients include the Secret Service, the feds, and military. They build temporary cities for areas in war. Why would a company that focuses on these types of "clients," be interested in this property? There still has been no true explanation for this question. I have asked Joe Murphy, the CEO of Target Logistics, what their interest in Bear Butte is, here is his only response to my question: "With regard to our company, we have built Campgrounds in Milwaukee for Harley-Davidson's 95th and 100th Anniversaries. Our interest in the Sturgis County Line Campground is a natural outgrowth of those activities." This seems a little out of the ordinary to say the least.
Background on new developments: On December 5, 2007 the Meade County Commissioners unanimously voted to revoke Jay Allen's on-sale liquor license, seemingly a good thing. The decision was based upon, Jay Allen's character, stating he was not a suitable person to hold the liquor license in question. The character issue was a result of Jay Allen defaulting on over $100,000.00 of debt, to local contractors who helped to build the Sturgis County Line, in 2006. In January, Jay Allen appealed the Meade County Commissioners decision to revoke his license. On April 14, 2008 the appeal was held before Judge Bastian, at the Meade County Courthouse. Allen testified he had signed a Memorandum of Understanding, purchase agreement on February 26, 2008 with Target Companies, a travel corporation from Boston, MA. The agreement terms were to be finalized on May 3, 2008. Allen stated upon completion of the agreement, his only role in the Sturgis County Line would be as a promoter, and because he was no longer the owner, his character could not be basis for license revocation. Judge Bastian remanded the decision back to Meade County Commissioners. His instructions asked the Commissioners to reconsider their decision to revoke, based upon the new information that Allen would no longer be the "owner" of Sturgis County Line. The Judge's decision was shocking; he re-wrote legislation at the bench. This ruling sets precedence for anyone in South Dakota, if you lose your liquor license due to poor character, the simple solution is to sell to a partnership, disassociate yourself on paper, and your liquor license will be restored. The intriguing part of this decision was, as of the court hearing date on April 14, 2008, Jay Allen was still the current owner and President of Bear Butte Sunsets LLC/ Sturgis County Line. As of the hearing, the only legitimate change had been new management, since the "sale agreement" would not be final until May 3, 2008. The Meade County Commissioner's held an Executive Session Meeting on April 24, 2008. They unanimously voted to appeal Judge Bastian's decision. It has been directed to South Dakota Supreme Court for further clarification, to determine if Judge Bastian had the legal authority to make such a decision. A court date will be scheduled in the upcoming months.
Target Companies marketing campaign is very aggressive. Plans were announced to open Sturgis County Line year round. Biker rally events are currently scheduled in June, July and in August for the annual Sturgis Rally. With this new year- round expansion, it will virtually become impossible ALL summer, to pray in peace at Bear Butte. This issue has escalated and is now, more critical than ever. At the May 7, 2008 Meade County Commissioners Monthly Meeting, Attorney for Target Companies dba Target Logistics stated that they made a legal decision to delay the purchase of Sturgis County Line, and opted to proceed with a lease at this time. The business name has now changed, and it is know as Broken Spoke Campground, LLC. Target Companies has now filed for a new Malt Beverage Liquor License, under the name of Broken Spoke Campground, LLC, the person that filed the application was the General Manager, David Shoe. A campaign is in progress to educate the bikers, in regards to the significance and protection for Bear Butte. This has been an on-going effort to create awareness over the past two years. People from across the nation have participated in reaching out to the bikers. It is through awareness that we can help make a difference with this issue. We have support from many people within the biker community but most people remain unaware of the struggle. Many bikers have stated they were not aware of the significance of Bear Butte previously, but will now support us and act accordingly. We ask for respectful behavior from people who are near the mountain. We want to limit the noise, intrusive lighting, and alcohol consumption near the mountain.
This is the opposition letter that I sent to Meade County Commissioner's:
I oppose the new application for a Malt Beverage liquor license application submitted by General Manager, David Shoe dba Broken Spoke Campground, LLC. The proposed application is for a location that is unsuitable. I request that Meade County Commissioner's deny the new application. Broken Spoken Campground, LLC formally known as Sturgis County Line, LLC lies within 2 miles North of the actual base of Bear Butte and threatens the natural and historic resources there. The NEW Malt Beverage license application should be denied because the locations are not suitable. These large scale commercial developments invite noise and cumulative impacts of increased traffic and travel, which all stand to adversely impact the natural serenity and tranquility needed for cultural, ceremonial and other visitations to Bear Butte. They will also negatively impact the experience of people who enjoy the spiritual, cultural, and natural resources at Bear Butte.
The application should be denied on the basis that the applicants are not suitable characters to hold a beer and/or liquor license as proposed. The new application license for General Manager, David Shoe dba Broken Spoke Campground, LLC should be denied based upon unsuitable character and misrepresentation. The new investors of Broken Spoke Campground, LLC, Target Logistics Corporation, have been made fully aware of the significance and protection for Bear Butte. Issues include, the unsuitability of this location, unacceptable noise and disturbance, that this location continues to cause, to those who travel to Bear Butte who need solitude and serenity. They fail to take into account local concerns of impacts to the spiritual, cultural, and natural resources at Bear Butte. Bear Butte is a place of prayer where the natural environment needs to be free from negative influences of alcohol that could affect religious beliefs and practices of those who travel from around the world to pray.
The new investors, Target Logistics Corporation, dba Broken Spoke Campground, LLC have announced plans for additional development and expansions at Broken Spoke Campground. Their expansions include, opening all year round and hosting various rally events in June, July in addition to August. The loud noise and music from this location throughout the summer will directly effect, encroach upon and interfere with the experience of people who wish to pray and/or visit Bear Butte in seclusion. Many Native Nations and their member's travel to Bear Butte to pray throughout the year. Bear Butte, a Historical Landmark and sacred site should be protected from the negative influences of beer, liquor and drugs.