Nine Tribes Unite to Block Controversial Drilling Near Sacred Black Hills Site
Sioux Falls, S.D. — Nine Native American tribes spanning South Dakota, North Dakota, and Nebraska are throwing down the gauntlet against the federal government, launching a lawsuit to halt exploratory drilling for graphite near the revered Pe'Sla site in the Black Hills.
Since the drilling project kicked off in late April, a small but passionate group of demonstrators has been rallying at both the drilling site and the mining company’s headquarters, voicing their outrage over the encroachment on sacred land.
The tribes filed their federal lawsuit Thursday in South Dakota, targeting the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture. They allege these agencies broke federal law by approving a project that threatens Pe'Sla, a meadow central to tribal ceremonies, prayers, and youth camps throughout the year.
This latest clash underscores the ongoing friction between Native tribes and mining interests in the lush, pine-covered Black Hills—a region sprawling over 1.2 million acres that rises dramatically from the Great Plains of southwest South Dakota into Wyoming.
While millions flock to this area annually for attractions like Mount Rushmore and its wildlife-rich state parks, it holds an even deeper significance for Sioux tribes, who refer to it as He Sapa, declaring it "the heart of everything that is," as stated in their complaint.
The landscape has already suffered from the gold rush of the 1870s, which displaced Native Americans and altered the terrain. Now, a new wave of miners, lured by soaring gold prices, is eyeing a return to this sacred ground.
The lawsuit contends that Rapid City-based Pete Lien & Sons' drilling project would severely impact Pe'Sla's use for traditional, cultural, and religious practices. The tribes argue that the Forest Service failed to consult them before giving the green light to this controversial project.
Parts of Pe'Sla are owned by Sioux tribes, who purchased the land in 2012, 2015, and 2018. An agreement with the Forest Service established a two-mile buffer zone around this sacred site on public lands, according to the complaint.
By not including Pe'Sla as an affected area and skipping an environmental review, the lawsuit claims that the approval violates both the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Attempts to reach Pete Lien & Sons for comment went unanswered as they ignored emails and voicemails over the weekend.
Frank Star Comes Out, president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, hailed the lawsuit as "a historic demonstration of unity" among the nine tribes. Though distinct and separate federally recognized entities, they share cultural and linguistic roots while maintaining their own governments and land bases.
"We as Lakota people have been coming and praying and holding ceremony at these places for over 2,000 years," stated Wizipan Garriott, president of Indigenous advocacy group NDN Collective and a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. "Our presence here is a continuation of countless generations before us. Protecting these sacred places is vital for future generations."
The Forest Service granted a permit for the project in February without conducting an environmental review, claiming it qualified for a categorical exclusion due to its short duration and lack of significant environmental impact. But tribal opponents vehemently dispute this assertion, arguing that such drilling often paves the way for future mining operations.
In addition to the tribes' lawsuit, NDN Collective and other environmental groups have filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop the project. Some drilling pads are reportedly located within the established buffer zone around Pe'Sla.
The project involves drilling up to 18 holes down approximately 1,000 feet into the Earth to collect samples. On Thursday, protesters wielded signs proclaiming "Protect Pe'Sla" and "Sacred ground not mining bound" near two drilling pads in an effort to block access. NDN Collective reported that the Forest Service temporarily halted drilling operations for the day, sending contractors home.
When asked for a response regarding the project, the Forest Service declined to comment on specifics due to ongoing legal proceedings.
While it's unclear exactly when drilling commenced, NDN Collective noted that they observed drilling pads in operation last week. The group has vowed to continue protest actions as necessary to safeguard Pe'Sla.
"As Lakota, we pray as long as we need to," Garriott affirmed.
