Cherokee NC motorcycle, motorcycling, motorcyle run, wounded knee

Wounded Knee Memorial Motorcyle Run

8/6/10 - 8/7/10
Trail of Chief Big Foot from Fort Yates, N.D. to Eagle Butte, S.D., ending at Wounded Knee.
Contact: Dave Janis (605) 441-3058 or davejanis@hotmail.com

WOUNDED KNEE MEMORIAL MOTORCYCLE RUN
Honoring the Trail of Chief Big Foot
Event held in conjunction with the Year of Unity

PIERRE, S.D. - In conjunction with the "Year of Unity," the annual Wounded Knee Memorial Motorcycle Run will be held Friday and Saturday, Aug. 6-7, 2010. The event, which follows the Trail of Chief Big Foot, will begin in Fort Yates, N.D., continue to Eagle Butte, S.D., and end at Wounded Knee.

The mission of the Wounded Knee Memorial Motorcycle Run is to preserve the memory of the innocent Lakota People who suffered and died on December 29, 1890. Participants will honor the ancestors through prayer and ceremony by remembering and paying their respects. Educational programs coordinated throughout the Run will be presented by Descendents of the Wounded Knee Massacre, bringing awareness to all people; then healing and unity can be achieved.

South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds declared the Year of Unity in February to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Year of Reconciliation, which was proclaimed in 1990 by Gov. George S. Mickelson. In addition state government activities, Gov. Rounds encourages tribes and communities across the state to devise and participate in Year of Unity events. He says individuals must get involved, too. "Government and tribal organizations alone cannot bring people closer together," the Governor noted. "The Year of Unity also must be carried forward in the hearts and minds of individuals."

The Standing Rock, Cheyenne River & Pine Ridge Reservations assist by collaborating on programming for the Run. Riders from other Tribal Nations as well as non-native riders from all over the United States come to ride in honor of those buried at Wounded Knee. These riders are drawn to the Run because of the traditional respectfulness and integrity that is shown and given throughout the duration of the event.

Registration for the Motorcycle Run will be on Friday, Aug. 6, at the Prairie Knights Casino along North Dakota Highway 24 at Fort Yates from 9-11 a.m. CDT and will continue on Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Eagle Butte powwow grounds from 7-8 a.m. MDT. Organizers ask for donations of $20 for riders and $10 for passengers (cash only). Proceeds from the event will benefit charitable organizations on the Standing Rock, Cheyenne River, and Pine Ridge Reservations. The Motorcycle Run is an alcohol- and drug-free event. For more information, contact Bruce Hansen (262-903-086 or hansen@elknet.net), Dave Janis (605-441-3058 or davejanis@hotmail.com), Roger White Eyes (605-441-9857 or ishtaska@yahoo.com), or Glenn Gunville (605-365-6110 or gunvilleranch@yahoo.com).

The goals of the Year of Unity are to promote active engagement of all races and cultures in South Dakota, promote education about racial and cultural diversity and history in South Dakota, improve communication and coordination among all South Dakotans, and address shared challenges and opportunities.

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