Bear Butte documentary shows struggle for mountain
Bear Butte documentary shows struggle for mountain
Story Discussion Lana Bradstream, Journal correspondent
Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2009 12:00 am
Local filmmakers got audience feedback for "Mato Paha: Rally to Protect Bear Butte," their documentary in production.
After a showing at The Journey Museum on Saturday, filmmakers Mitchell Zephier Sr., Mark St. Pierre and Tilda Long Soldier held a panel discussion with the audience in hopes of finding ways to improve the film before the finished product is released. According to St. Pierre, final editing of the documentary is taking place in New York.
"This is the first version of the film seen by anybody," he said
And they got feedback: Suggestions included shortening a segment involving girls basketball. St. Pierre agreed the segment didn't have much to do with the conflict but said they used it as a way to tie in youths to Bear Butte.
Filmmakers have already shown the film in Brookings. Zephier said an additional screening will be Nov. 18 in Minneapolis, and screenings are pending in Chicago and Washington, D.C. If people wish to view the documentary, St. Pierre said they can call the filmmakers for a screening, at 348-1804 or 390-9296.
The film's ultimate focus is the cultural conflict that arises as businesses spring up near Bear Butte, a sacred site for many indigenous people.
To illustrate, filmmakers focused on the Broken Spoke Saloon and former owner Jay Allen's quest to obtain a liquor license. The Broken Spoke is near Bear Butte, and in the film, Native Americans talk about how difficult it is to pray, perform ceremonies and make offerings of tobacco and cloth on the mountain when there is a bar nearby filled with noise and alcohol.
Discussion turned from ways to improve the film to ways to resolve the conflict.
When asked by a member of the audience what distance people should observe in order to maintain a respectful distance, Nancy Kyle, a Sturgis woman who has been involved with indigenous efforts to protect Bear Butte, said a good rule of thumb is for people to not go beyond Fort Meade.
According to St. Pierre, the only way to stop the encroaching businesses is to do it financially. "Hopefully, people will get the message it's not financially worth doing," St. Pierre said.
But there aren't easy answers. St. Pierre referred to a measure proposed in 2007 by Gov. Mike Rounds to the Legislature to buy a perpetual easement zone around the monument, using a combination of state, federal and private funds. Meade County commissioners were opposed to the idea, and the bill died in the state House in February 2008.
"This issue is not going to go away. Gov. Rounds understands that," St. Pierre said, referring to the governor's proposal. "Meade County is surrounding a very important place."