House Bill No. 1233

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to restrict where certain alcoholic beverage licenses may be located.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

Section 1. No on-sale license may be granted to any applicant pursuant to Title 35 for an establishment that is or will be located within four miles of the outside boundaries of Bear Butte State Park.

To whom is concerned:

First of all, wopila (a great thanks) to the representatives that I personally met and supported endeavors of spiritual nature of my Peace Works.

This issue is the concern of forbidding a liquor license around the Sacred Site of Bear Butte. The importance of this site being a place of reverence, is acknowledged in the SD State Park tourism information as well. Therefore this acknowledgement must be protected.

Our People believe in the energy of life, therefore we see and recognize this site to be protected. Many Nations come and pray throughout the year at the Sacred Site, so it is in the best interest to make conscious decisions to shield from the intake of People who consume the energy of alcohol or drug's effects. These people become disrespectful and unconscious to a place of reverence and prayer, which I am personally aware of incidences in the past that can most likely be researched in Sturgis police records, indicating disorderly conduct, theft of property and money. This happening already at the base north of the Bear Butte.

Because our Spiritual ways are practiced in the open upon Unci Maka (Grandmother Earth), the effects of negative influences travel in sound and feeling. Our People would like support for a positive safeguard from you, the decision makers such as yourselves, in understanding the meaning of good relations. Please consider a place of prayer that you all participate in and would want the environment to be free from these negative influences that could affect your family's religious belief practices.

I thank you again for taking the time to read my thoughts and feelings.

Hetc'etu yelo (that is is the way it is),
Chief Arvol Looking Horse

Please note this bill did not make it as it was filed too late. Plans to re-introduce the bill have not been made or posted as of this date - March 9, 2006

Special thanks to Scott Barta for passing this on.

Contents

March 2006 Reports

Last updated on March 9, 2006