GENEVA – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, James Anaya, urged today the United States Government and the local and state authorities in South Dakota to address concerns expressed by the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples about an impending private land sale in the Black Hills region of the central-northern state, that will affect a site of great spiritual significance to them.
James Anaya, United Nations Special Rapporteur
Mr. Anaya has received information about the auctioning of five tracts of land in the area of Reynolds Prairie, in South Dakota, scheduled for August 25, within which a site sacred to the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples, Pe” Sla, is located. These indigenous communities are concerned that the sale of this land will result in restrictions to their access and use of Pe” Sla for ceremonial purposes. They are also concern that it may lead to a road development project that would diminish the cultural and spiritual integrity of their sacred site.
More at http://www.nativenewsnetwork.com/un-special-rapporteur-calls-for-us-to-address-pe-sla-auction.html