Return To Wounded Knee
Hau Everyone,
01/04/2025 - Returned to Wounded Knee today as a fierce Great Plains winter stormed swept in. I visited the Wounded Knee mass grave site meditated and offered prayers to those that were massacred on December 29th, 1890 by the 7th Calvary. The Wounded Knee grave area is incredibly haunting. Experiencing deep feelings of heart ache & sorrow with the effects of genocide on a indigenous culture is beyond words. It was a somber day as a intense winter storm blew across South Dakota.
I Delivered a pick up truck load of food, clothing, electric heaters and some cash to the Oyate. Visited with the White Plume’s and we celebrated our new film Native Horse reaching millions of viewers on PBS.
It was wonderful to sit with Alex White Plume (traditional Lakota, leader of the Sitanka Wokiksuye Tiospaye, and a creator of the Bigfoot Memorial Ride to Wounded Knee). Alex and I watch the short version of Spirit Riders which I recently posted on Rumble: https://rumble.com/v61bjhb-spirit-riders-riding-to-mend-the-sacred-hoop..html
Alex is featured in Spirit Riders which I filmed 20 years ago. Alex enjoyed seeing himself as a younger man leading the Bigfoot Memorial rides and sharing his wisdom with the Oyate. Alex joked on how the years have passed and good memories on the Spiritual horseback rides.
I’ve been documenting the Rides to Wounded Knee and other American Indian Spiritual Rides for over 20 years and have created a powerful library of footage & interviews. Hoping to get support to edit this historical footage into a future film.
The following morning I awoke early and began my cross country drive thru the snow glazed Bad Lands. The roads were icy and snow covered as I slowly crept along in the sub-zero temps. The Sun was beginning to crack through the storm clouds and as I drove across the sacred land I came upon this herd of Sungwakaη - Horses. It was a powerful sign of Hope & Regeneration for Unci Maka & the Oyate. My heart and mind was filled with Joy as I carefully parked my truck, walked out to the heard offering words of Thanks & Appreciation to Sungwakaη.
Would like to thank Kimberlee McCarty & Diana Alcantara for their generous donations of food, Clothing and money to share in Lakota Country.
James Anaquad Kleinert - Producer/Director/Cinematographer
To Support our important work: