Tatanka and Deadwood, South Dakota

We left Rapid City this morning and headed through the Black Hills for Deadwood and a monument named Tatanka, which is the native Latoka word for very big beast – their name for the Bison. A native guide named Billy explained the magnificent sculptures which depict the way in which the Lakota hunted Bison when they needed a large supply of food. They would find ‘Buffalo Jumps’, i.e. cliffs over which they could drive the animals and kill them. We should mention that this centre and the sculptures were financed by actor Kevin Kostner, star of the movie Dances with Wolves which was filmed around these parts. He is very strongly committed to promoting knowledge and understanding of Native Americans and considers the Black Hills to be his spiritual home.

Billy also explained the Latoka culture. We heard that while men are the official leaders all community decisions are made by the council of women and men have to go along with them. Women dominate in the home and men are not allowed to argue with them. Sue says this is a great system. Phil says ‘so what’s new’??

Another guide named Jan took us on a genuine American school bus for a tour around Deadwood. This is the town where the legendary Wild Bill Hickock was shot in 1876. The best part of the tour was Jan’s wonderful dry sense of humour. The one liners came so fast we just can’t recall them all. But a good example was this:

‘We got plenty of law and order here. 1320 people, 26 police officers and 11 very fast police cars. You take anything from a store without payin’ our SWAT team will take you down.’

All up a real fun day.

Photo 1: Welcome to this wonderful gold rush town.

Photo 2: Tatanka site.

Photo 3: Sculpture of a bison.

Photo 4: Sculpture depicting a Buffalo Jump.

Photo 5: The queue at the bar is so long …

Photo 6: Site of the saloon where Wild Bill Hickock was shot.