Honoring the history of the Black Hills while committing to understanding, respect, and a better path forward
My XO Adventures recognizes that the land where we live and work is part of the ancestral territory of the Lakota people, as affirmed in the Treaty of Fort Laramie. We specifically acknowledge and thank the Oglala Lakota of Pine Ridge and the Sicangu Lakota of the Rosebud Reservation. These are not distant communities. They are our neighbors, and they are part of the living fabric of this place.
We also recognize that the history of the Black Hills did not unfold fairly. The treaty was broken, the land was taken in 1877, and the Lakota and many other Indigenous Nations were forcibly removed from lands that had sustained them for generations. Violence, loss, and cultural destruction followed. Much of this history is still minimized or left out of what people are taught today. That matters.
As a company operating here, we benefit from what came after. We don’t ignore that. At the same time, we live in the present, and we believe responsibility today should be rooted in awareness, respect, and meaningful action, not misplaced blame.
We are actively working to build real relationships within the Native American community. That process is not simple. There is pain, there is distrust, and there are barriers that exist for good reason. We’ve experienced resistance in our efforts, and we understand that it comes from a long history that cannot be undone. Still, we choose to keep showing up with respect, consistency, and openness.
We also believe that progress depends on honest conversation. Our guests come here seeking understanding, and we believe they deserve clear, thoughtful answers about the history, the conflict, and the reality of the Black Hills today. We share what we’ve learned as accurately and responsibly as we can, even when the subject is uncomfortable.
We do not claim to have solutions to complex issues like land rights, economic disparity, or movements surrounding the future of the Black Hills. What we do believe is that division alone will not lead to progress. Real change requires communication, collaboration, and a willingness from all sides to move forward.
The Black Hills are sacred. They are also a shared space where millions of people come to experience something meaningful. Both of these truths exist at the same time. Ignoring one in favor of the other does not move anyone forward.
At My XO Adventures, we believe the path ahead is built through education, connection, and action. That includes supporting local communities, encouraging respectful engagement, and helping direct awareness and economic activity toward places like Pine Ridge and Rosebud in ways that honor the people who live there today.
We can’t change what happened. But how we choose to understand it, talk about it, and act moving forward will shape what this place becomes for future generations.
We want to take a moment to sincerely thank those within the Native American community who have taken the time to speak with us, answer our questions, and share their knowledge. These conversations are not something we take lightly. They require patience, openness, and a willingness to engage across differences.
There are individuals who have welcomed dialogue, offered insight, and helped us better understand the depth, complexity, and lived experience behind the history of this land. That kind of generosity matters. It has shaped how we learn, how we speak, and how we guide others through these places.
We’re especially grateful for those who have chosen to engage with us in a spirit of mutual respect. Every conversation, every moment of shared understanding, moves things forward in a real way.
We don’t claim to speak for anyone but ourselves. What we can do is listen, continue learning, and carry forward what has been shared with us in a way that honors those voices.
To those who have taken the time to connect with us, thank you. It means more than we can fully express.
