He Sapa (black hills) - Marilyn

The heart of Unci Makha (mother earth), is He Sapa (black hills), where the Lakhota people came from. Interestingly, scientists found it shocking that if you were to see an aerial view of the black hills, it looks like the exact shape of a heart. To further amaze these skeptics, there are tunnels and pathways underneath that closely resemble the chambers, veins, and arteries found in a human heart. In a time of environmental destruction, and disparity among the people, it’s important to look back at our routes and origin. One of those origin stories, for the Lakhota people, is that we emerged from these veins, known as wind cave. From here, the people made way to turtle island and into the oceti sakowin (seven council fires).

He Sapa comes with many other stories such as the great race which is connected to our constellation Ki Inyanka Ocanku Sa. The great race is about a race around He Sapa between two-leggeds and four-leggeds which determined who would be able to eat who. By the end of the story the two-leggeds won with the help of magpie, and they left a trail of blood because of their efforts. If you look around He Sapa, you can see a resemblance to this race track.

In the center of He Sapa is Pesla, which represents the hochoka (center of camp circle). This area is very sacred, and nothing grows here. There is an inipi (sweatlodge) here where people come to make prayers and purify themselves.

For the Lakhota people, just being in He Sapa is healing, and purifies your spirit. One of my unci’s once told me that since He Sapa is the heartbeat of Unci Makha, being there puts your heartbeat in tune with the earth’s. If you ever have the chance to visit the black hills, I highly encourage it. If there are any questions, just come and ask. -Marilyn Frank