My XO Adventures recognizes that the land on which we work was Lakota territory under the Treaty of Fort Laramie. Specifically, we would like to thank those of Pine Ridge (Oglala) and Rosebud Reservation (Sicangu). These are our closest neighbors and members of our community. Our company and others benefit from colonizing this land, which was stolen in 1877. The Lakota and many other
Indigenous Tribes were forcefully removed from their Native Lands. Genocidal acts of the settlers and the U.S. Army occurred and are rarely taught.
As we go through this journey, we strive to build authentic relationships within the Native American Community. Sadly, we have found that specific organizations capitalize on the damage done to fan the flames of prejudice and methodically keep wounds open to advance a political agenda. We have been directly impacted in our efforts to reach out. Rejection is commonplace, blame abounds, and actions taken over 150 years ago are assigned to those who had nothing to do with these tragic events.
So long as this continues, nothing good will happen. This means we study as much as we can and make a genuine effort to share the information as we know it. While some may not like this, we believe our guests deserve answers. Some day this may change, but for now, there are those within the
Native American community who would rather focus on the suppression of the Lakota people and further harm to all parties.
We do not support any further relocation efforts for those who came later. We also do not advocate for the return of the
Black Hills. This land now belongs to all Americans, no matter what color, race, or creed. However, we have faith that there is a solution and, through collaboration, it will manifest.
History cannot be changed, but how we right these wrongs will define us for generations. We also recognize the unwillingness of both sides to communicate. Specific organizations exist to focus on issues that divide, rather than bring us together. We believe that to advance, we must recognize this is an issue of societal class struggle, marked by ineffective methods and the hatred and division some organizations promote. At the moment, this is being promoted by both ends of the spectrum.
The Black Hills are
sacred and should be accessible to all. Let us recognize the inequalities and fix them. We acknowledge and remember those who cause division. Let’s think for ourselves and treat each other with kindness. Let us move forward together as one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for ALL.
We do not claim to know the solutions to the “Land Back Movement” and many other problems resulting in the unnecessary suffering of the Lakota People. However, we’d like to be a part of the solution. Through education, interaction, and connection to commerce within Pine Ridge and other reservations, we can provide some relief to those families and honor their ancestors.
