May 20, 2003

STATEMENT OF BERNARD RED CHERRIES, JR.

REGARDING THE MEETING AT BEAR BUTTE, MAY 10, 2003

We are saddened that the spiritual leaders of the Lakota nation who were present at the meeting at Bear Butte on May 10, 2003, have decided not to continue with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Nations in our efforts to preserve and protect our ceremonies for our children and our children's children.  We wish them well.

We, the Cheyenne and Arapaho, will continue our fight for the protection and preservation of the traditional beliefs of our peoples.  Further discussion and planning will be done in June, followed with a presentation in Washington, DC shortly thereafter.

Thank you for the strong support we have received in this our cause.   

BERNARD RED CHERRIES JR

NORTHERN CHEYENNE SUNDANCE/ARROW PRIEST, ELKHORN SCRAPER SOCIETY HEADSMAN.