This video was submitted by the Lone Eagle Children to the Climate Summit in Paris in 2015

The Lone Eagle Children; of Bridger, South Dakota; first came to the attention of many when they first endeavored to save their community from the devastation of tarsands pipeline construction back in 2014. Tatanka, MJ and Zora have been on the ground and in the hearing rooms fighting against dangerous pipelines that threaten the survival of their homelands. Bridger is a small reservation community in South Dakota that sits on the banks of the Cheyenne River, a major tributary to the Missouri River. Bridger is the most vulnerable community along a major proposed tarsands pipeline route through central South Dakota. 

In Bridger, the people continue to rely on subsistance living (ie: hunting, fishing, gardening and harvesting naturally occuring foods and medicines.) The Lone Eagle family is no different. We hunt, grow, gather and process much of our own food. The economics of the area make this way of life a necessity. Horses are a big part of our survival. 

The children have cared for horses for about as long as they could walk. They recently suffered the loss of a horse, SiSka, that was special to them. SiSka had suddenly become ill and we fell short in our efforts to save him. The loss was especaily hard on Zora, as he had been a gift, and had helped to fulfill a quest to heal the waters affected by pipeline construction. 

Jobs in the area are hard to come by. Our location even makes most internet jobs implausible. This venue is a last resort to helping us purchase needed supplies, including hay to get the horses through the winter. 

Because of the drought, the cost of hay has more than doubled. Sometimes the cost can be as much as $150/round bale, up to 3 times what we usually pay. 

Right now there are almost 30 horses at the Bridger UCC. 2 geldings belong to the children. Because the church is also home to a youth organization known as SunkaWakan Agli (Bring Back the Horses), we help care and provide for all the horses. The program works with kids across the reservation to rebuild the relationship with the Horse Nation. On the Cheyenne River Reservation, the SunkaWakan Agli program is the most successful suicide prevention/drug& alcohol prevention and youth rehabilitation program. the sharp increase in hay has had all of us scrambling to find the means to bring in hay for the winter.

Several weeks ago a donation of a semi-truck load of hay (34 round bales) came into Bridger. As of January 15 there are only about 5 bales remaining. Some of the horses need more than others, such as supplements, dewormer and shots. The program has also rescued several horses from neglect and abuse. 

As it stands now, SunkaWakan Agli is the private endeavor of the pastor for the church and receives no regular funding. Because many of us in the community and throughout the reservation believe in the program we put what we can into supporting it. We use our own vehicles, equipment and needed supplies. The Lone Eagle Children, being the closest, are at the church everyday feeding, watering and caring for the horses. It is one of their passions. 

The youth who participate in the program have been invited to participate in several rides in the area and throughout the state. The last ride was the Big Foot Memorial ride December 15-30. The date and target amount have been left open so we can continue to provide for the horses through the winter.

With your help we can have healthy horses to carry our youth, including the Lone Eagle Children. 

Pilamiyape

Elizabeth Lone Eagle