Sacred sites on federal land are mammoth issues

[Ian David]

Sacred sites on federal land are mammoth issues
© Indian Country Today March 14, 2005. All Rights Reserved
Posted: March 14, 2005
by: David Melmer / Indian Country Today


CRAZY HORSE, S.D. - The definition of ''sacred site'' is open for discussion, and it all depends on which side of the cultural divide a person stands on.

The Lakota have no word that means ''sacred'': the word ''waken'' is the closest substitute. So who defines the word ''sacred''?

With that question hanging over the heads of federal agencies and tribal cultural officials, it could become difficult to define a sacred site and agree on its meaning.


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An important part of this and other conferences is to build relationships and also that the sacred sites policy be a process inviting input from the tribes. Through a memorandum of understanding, tribes would be consulted every time a thinning or other process takes place. ''This is the intent of the scope of what we want to do. It's a dynamic give and take,'' Parsons said.

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