Personally, I want to start out by saying this subject has been something my family and I have been very passionate about since I can remember. We have seen first hand living in the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities, the social divides and misconceptions that have come from our history. We believe it is time for us to heal the wounds of the past inflicted by our ancestors, and pave the way for a future of unity and mutual respect between the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous populations. We are all joined by a common thread - our Creator. One step toward acknowledging past wrongdoings and fostering this unity starts with changing the name of Custer State Park in South Dakota. Encompassing 71,000 acres in the Black Hills. The park is currently named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, who is widely known for his role in the forced removal and massacre of Indigenous peoples. This is a heartrending reminder of a painful history. Let's replace this with a name that honors and celebrates the rich heritage and culture of the land's original custodians. This is a step closer to achieving a harmonious relationship with each other and the natural world. This is not an attempt to rewrite history, but rather to honor the memory of those who first called these lands home. Such initiatives have been successful in other locations, such as the renaming of Mount McKinley to Denali, its Athabascan traditional name, in Alaska in 2015. It's time for us to continue moving forward by acting on issues that matter. Let's stand together for peace, recognition and healing.

 

 

 

Suggestions for the renaming include:

 

Sitting Bull (Tȟatȟáŋka Íyotake) State Park.

 

Red Cloud (Maȟpíya Lúta) State Park.

 

Crazy Horse (Tȟašúŋke Witkó) State Park.

 

Black Elk (Heȟáka Sápa) State Park.

 

Touch the Clouds (Maȟpíya Ičáȟtagya) State Park. 

 

Buffalo Nation State Park.

 

Lakota State Park.

 

Just to name a few.

Voice your support - sign this petition today. Let your signature echo the call for change. Hokahe!