Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie
Tribal/NPS Opening Program: “Honoring the Spirit” Saturday, April 28, 2018
9:00 AM - Pre-event Meet & Greet for Tribal Leaders and Federal/State/Local Representatives
10:00 AM - Welcoming Remarks from Superintendent Tom Baker
10:05 AM - Traditional Opening Blessing (Arvol Looking Horse)
10:10 AM - Honor song
10:15 AM - Remarks by Federal Representatives
10:45 AM - Remarks by Tribal Dignitaries
11:30 AM - Tribal Speakers – 1868 Treaty
12:00 - Remarks by State/Local Representatives
12:30 PM - Final Remarks from NPS Staff
12:30 PM - Communal Lunch
1:30–3:00 PM - Meeting(s) with Tribal, Federal, and State representatives available
3:00 PM - History-based programs: “Before Trappers, Traders and Forts” (Tribal speakers); “Embassy on the Plains” (NPS speakers)
12:00–5:00 PM - Short tours of 1868 Treaty Site throughout the day in small guided groups.
Treaty Exhibits (Interactive Tent, Cav Barracks, Visitor Center)
Native Arts Marketplace (Cav Barracks Porch)
PH: (307) 837-2221 - 965 Gray Rocks Road, Fort Laramie, WY 82212
Logistical Considerations:
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Private Tribal ceremonies, including prayer, drums, and song will occur at sunrise in the area of the sweat lodge.
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Placement of staffs and flags in the main event tent will occur from 8:00 to 9:00am, public invited.
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Seating for Tribal, Federal, State, and local dignitaries will be reserved in the first two rows in front of the stage (the stage is not large enough to accommodate that many people).
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There will be areas available for facilitated discussions between tribes and others concerning the importance, implications, and current relevance of the treaty that will be open to the public.
Weather Contingency:
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In case of extremely inclement weather, all events will be held at the Town of Fort Laramie Community Center, three miles east of Fort Laramie NHS.
April 29 (Sunday): Oceti Sakowin Day – Tribal-led Activities
Seven Council Fires (ticketed activity at the Oceti Sakowin Oyate encampment)
The Seven Council Fires are:
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Mdewakanton - Dwellers by the Sacred Lake
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Wahpekute - Shooters Among the Leaves
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Sisitonwan/Sisseton - People of the Marsh
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Wahpetonwan - Dwellers Among the Leaves
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Ihanktown/Lower Yanktonai - People of the End
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Ihanktowana/Upper Yanktoni - People of the Little End
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Tetonwan - People on the Plains
Events include talks by tribal youth and representatives, and cultural demonstrations. Detailed schedule will be available at the park.
April 30/ May 1: We Are Here: Struggles and Multigenerational Impacts 1868-present
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Opening Prayers
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History of Treaty Making (general)
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The Fort Laramie Treaties
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1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie (Horse Creek Treaty)
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1866 Treaty of Fort Laramie (attempted)
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1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie
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Other Programs
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How life has been affected because of promises in the treaties
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Later laws and how it effects life today, specifically for the younger generations Topics could include:
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Complete tribal history (various tribes)
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Tribal sovereignty
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The future of treaty rights
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Contributions to American society
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Policy changes that affect tribal history and culture
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Loss of land, hunting rights, buffalo, and way of life in favor of dramatic attempts at assimilation
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Loss of reservation land to encroachment (mining, railroads, other development, etc.)
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Reservation life, from the period of establishment to modern life, with serious issues of drug and alcohol dependency, poverty, and high unemployment.
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Acts/statutes passed seeking to “civilize” tribal peoples, including the Dawes Act 1887, Indian Citizenship Act 1924, and the Indian Reorganization Act.
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Indian Child Welfare Act
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Ongoing Events (April 28-May 1):
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Craft demonstrations/sales ongoing during all events (Native Arts Marketplace)
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“Winter Count” communal drawing
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Traditional food vendors (Six maximum, permits in by March 15)