We are so grateful for all of the people who are showing that they believe this vision is worth achieving. Thank you for your gift. This is just the beginning of a very important step in helping humanity. Together we will bring the Sacred back to the Black Hills (Hesápa.)

The following letter was spoken into being by Chief Izzy.

Hau my relative and friend,

Today we face an amazing opportunity to achieve this Land Project, a vision given to us all by the great warrior Crazy Horse.

As I shared many times what this vision is about, the Land will be a place of gathering for spiritual leaders around the world to bring all their knowledge and wisdom into one ceremony and one prayer for the world. All are welcome to take part in the learning of what this life is really about. The original instructions given to all of us from our Creator are for all of you. But it's up to you to open your spirit.

The Land will not be a place of protest or any kind of negative energy, it will be a place of learning and growing together in all spiritual ways. We must all focus on what really matters, because time is short, and the time to positively act is now.

Whatever you can do to help this mission of land acquisition to make a place for healing programs will be really appreciated, wópila tanka. I want you to know that you are welcome to come visit when we get the land, to take part in ceremonies, to receive many teachings — all the things that I’ve been talking about all these years. Come heal. I will see all of you soon.

Pidámaya, thank you for your time.

Héčetu welo,

IZZY
Chief Black Spotted Horse
Vision given, Instruction received, and Direction shown
Founder of Bringing the Sacred Back to the Black Hills Hesapa

izzyzephier@bringingthesacredback.org

janetzephier@bringingthesacredback.org

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Chief Black Spotted Horse stands before you today with a vision—a vision that transcends borders and bridges cultures. It's a vision of healing, of renewal, and of profound planetary transformation. This vision is embodied in the ambitious project known as Bringing the Sacred Back to the Black Hills. And today, I invite you to join us in making this vision a reality.

In 1967, alone on top of the sacred Bear Butte in the Black Hills, Chief Izzy received these exact instructions: “You are to find this land that I have prepared for you and make it ready for the people, so they can come to it and survive in the end times.” For years, he searched for the land, thinking he was looking for a place to save the Lakota. But in time, he realized that just as his spiritual inspiration Crazy Horse had foreseen, all of humanity are ‘the people.’ After accepting this, Chief Izzy saw another vision while passing the land shown here. Generations of villages of the past stood ready to aid generations of villages in our future. Shown below is the land that has been prepared for him: 1,000 acres containing three rivers that converge into one, north of Rapid City, South Dakota, in the Sacred Black Hills. Using the rights of private ownership by a nonprofit, the Indigenous of the Black Hills will be able to return to their sacred lands to practice stewardship, unhindered. And this is the year that the world will be most ready to learn the gifts of the Indigenous for the future of the planet. So we are preparing a place for the people to come together, to know the old ways again, and to save humanity’s relationship with Mother Earth.

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The world’s Indigenous are inseparably linked to the health of the environment. Every year, the Ivy League collaborative research study Project Drawdown names the top 100 actions scientifically proven to slow or reverse global warming. Consistently around 50 listed actions name Indigenous land management methods or lifestyle choices as substantially cooling for the planet if adopted widely. These ancient practices hold the key to our planet's future, offering sustainable solutions deeply rooted in respect for the Earth.

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Chief Black Spotted Horse has led the life of a visionary leader. From a challenging upbringing to fulfilling his prophetic destiny as his family’s honored "Speaker," this Chief's intent was clearly handed down from the stars: For his people and for all people, he must revive Indigenous traditions in the Sacred Black Hills, the Wàcanté Hécha Wižípaŋ, or The Heart of Everything That Is.

For Chief Izzy, this project is not just about environmental stewardship; it's about reclaiming Indigenous identity and revitalizing his home community. In the life coaching business, if you want to achieve unrivaled spiritual evolution, you go to India, Tibet, the Andes, or the Lakota. These areas hold the very global traditions whose leaders have voiced a similarity of culture with Chief Izzy in his 40 years of connecting with them, despite very humble means.

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But the need for this project isn't just defendable by scientific data and one man’s story. It's about people—real people whose lives hang in the balance. The Indian Health Service reports that for 1.6 million Indigenous people in America, life expectancies are nearly 40% shorter than the lives of other inhabitants on this continent. Their lives are cut short most commonly by diabetes, tobacco industry-related cancers, liver disease, self-harm, and community harm. The Black Hills hold for the people of that region a rich, turbulent history. From broken protective treaties to land-raping gold rushes, the Hills have weathered it all, remaining a spiritual beacon for the Plains tribes. For them, the Hills’ resilience echoes through time, symbolizing their people’s deep connection to powerful ancestral traditions.

Our collaboration seeks to address the pressing issues shaping Indigenous lives head-on. By reconnecting Indigenous communities with their ancestral lands and traditions, this approach will not only restore cultural pride but will also build their physical and mental well-being.

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With plans to reconnect the Black Hills area’s people to their original foods, in cooperation with existing tribal-led education programs and multiple Sacred Horse Societies in the region, this restorative land project has interdisciplinary effects. It will provide a viable residential recovery solution for the notoriously displaced Urban Natives in US cities. It will also restore the pride and hope of visiting program participants who are barely surviving subsistence lives on reservations. Anyone who seeks to learn from the wo Lakota, the Lakota way, will be welcome to spend time contributing to the land project. Beyond this, by actively building collaboration with the world’s tribal leaders, the ripple effects of this land project will be felt in every corner of the planet.

Now, joined by a team of qualified leading partners, a $30 million investment over three years will provide a place for powerful existing restorative programs. The investment will build accessible net-zero facilities for all-season community meetings, special-needs guest accommodation, secure supply storage, and program offices. This investment empowers Chief Izzy’s team to provide revolutionary land-based integrated health and social programs for a tribal people already tied to their homeland of origin. Chief Izzy’s 1,000-acre land project will set a place-based model of service for tribes worldwide to heal themselves and the Earth.

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Our proposed tribal service community hub and its moving eco-village on the 1,000 acres will remain guided by nomadic principles of sustainability and respect for the land. The land project will serve as a beacon of hope and renewal for tribes all over the world. Treating the rolling prairies between the Sacred Black Hills as our host, practicing the 'leave it like you found it' lifestyle methods of our tribal past, our moving eco-village will have the capacity to serve up to 1,400 visitors at a time, accommodating up to seven people per circular abode, with our planned collection of 200 all-weather tipis.

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The journey ahead is not without its challenges. For many years the alcohol, drug and sex trades have targeted the involvement of people connected to seemingly lawless tribal areas, and this has deeply hurt the people. Chief Izzy and his team have persevered, driven by their intense sense of duty and a belief in the transformative power of their vision. This, combined with the planned 50-member team of hired safety personnel, rehabilitation specialists and logistical supporters, will bolster the rightful presence of all of the programs being supported by the land.

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As Chief Izzy reminds us, the Indigenous-rooted people of the world, if given space to come out of their shells and shine, can save the world with what they hold inside of them.

At Bringing the Sacred Back, we believe that everyone deserves a chance to thrive—to embrace their heritage, to celebrate their family’s ancient cultures, and to contribute to a better world. Our vision of a haven for cultural practice is not just about healing tribal populations; it's about healing Mother Earth together. And it's about creating a future where Indigenous voices are valued, respected, and empowered to activate their potent solutions for global sustainability.

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Even still, this passionate group cannot achieve this vision alone. We need your support—your investment, your expertise, and your passion. Together, we can all make a difference—not just for Indigenous communities, but for all of humanity. So I urge you to join us on this journey—a journey of healing, of hope, and of profound transformation. Together, let's invest in a future where Indigenous heritage is preserved, where cultural pride is celebrated, and where Mother Earth can nurture the next seven generations.

Thank you.

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To discuss a greater level of involvement, please contact Bringing the Sacred Back to the Black Hills Hesápa directly at (605) 491-1874.

More of the story is detailed below. Discover more about the background of the project.

The Inspiration behind this Land Project

Growing up on the Yankton Reservation amidst dangerous risk, Izzy witnessed the good and bad of humanity. Surviving four lightning strikes marked him for a unique destiny — Iyápaha, “the Speaker.” But following the white man’s path to higher education and a professional life did not prepare him for the task given to him by two Zuni medicine men: Izzy must return to South Dakota, return to the way of the Indigenous, and lead.

Traveling on foot over a mountain in Colorado to return home, a celestial vision showed Izzy his special purpose. When Izzy returned for ceremonies and prayed for guidance, Izzy’s mission became clear. Gather the Indigenous to practice their Earth-healing ceremonies together in the place where his people were given their way long ago: the Black Hills. Izzy has worked on fulfilling that mission for over 40 years.

In 2017 at the inaugural Aniwa Gathering of Indigenous leaders from across the world in Ibiza, recognizing cultural commonality in the Lakota, an ad-hoc council of 40 tribal leaders agreed the Lakota should regain a place to deepen their original nomadic identity — a remote, expansive haven of conservation land, where Indigenous and allies could come to share, yet leave it like they found it, as in the old ways.

The Lakota are among the few remaining Indigenous cultures that have survived religious persecution and genocide from humanity’s imperialist trends. Because they survived, they are now able to demonstrate the ways of their ancestors. With unwavering dedication, Izzy has bridged cultures and invited the rebirth of authentic tradition. Support the realization of his vision today.

Where Will The Land Project Be?

The Black Hills geographic area spans Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota, made up of rolling grassland that connects sacred mountains, hills, and rock formations. The Black Hills have contained profoundly spiritual annual journeys for the people of the Seven Council Fires over many thousands of years.

Though treaties deemed the Black Hills "unceded Indian Territory" in 1851 and “sacred” in 1868, the discovery of gold there led to forced relocation and persecution of the people trying to protect the Black Hills. In 1980 the Supreme Court ruled that U.S. occupation of the Black Hills was illegal, yet it also asked the tribes to sell the area to the U.S. government — an idea the tribes rejected. The Black Hills remain illegally occupied by U.S. citizens.

Through it all, the Black Hills area still today hides huge sacred circles in plain sight, and remains a spiritual beacon of ancestral messages for many plains tribes. The Black Hills' survival of mining and desecration offers the plains tribes the strength to seek not only atonement and resolution, but also cultural partnerships to re-establish humanity’s role as Earth's caretakers in the next era.

What Will The Land Project Look Like?

The Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains will once again be able to return to the Wàcanté Hécha Wižípaŋ (Heart of Everything That Is), the area of our origin story, the Hesápa (Black Hills), to feel the freedom to roam and the right to exist, to return our traumatized children to our healing ways, to heal ourselves from centuries of genocide, to restore the ecosystem with our way of knowing. Having restored our people and restored our land, we will extend the hospitality of our cultural, educational, social, and spiritual lifeways to the other indigenous nations and their allies on Mother Earth.

Rooted in timeless tribal beliefs that humanity is still, and forever will be ONE together, and an inseparable part of Mother Earth, this project fosters change, love, and respect among all. Choosing fertile grounds near the sacred Black Hills of the Lakota as a gathering place, this project provides the space to heal the profound scars that humanity shares with the Earth.

Restoration of 1,000 acres of undeveloped conservation land for Lakota stewardship
Traditional circular temporary/mobile architecture, with hand-sourced materials on site
Delivering traditional hospitality, including the sharing of healthier pre-contact foods
Hosting gatherings to revive and celebrate global Indigenous cultures, including:
- Foraging, Hunting, Cooking, Animal Cooperation, Building, Hand-tool Fabrication, Crafting, Visual Art, Symbology, Music, Dance, Ceremony
Led by good-hearted tribal people of the Black Hills region whose families carry and share multiple-millenia-old traditions

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We Know the Land Will Heal Us.

Places where many waters merge are very important. Our hoped-for site is where 3 rivers come together into one. On reservations, land is held in trust by the U.S. government. Eco-harmful government-leased cattle farms and uranium mining cause disproportionate cancer and other illnesses. Unemployment is high, leaving very few options for sustainable land purchase or use. This disconnect from the instinctual tribal bond with Mother Earth has led to alarming suicide rates. The families of Native tradition carriers have faced violent suppression of their ways if they didn’t hide them — even after a 1978 Act intended to return religious freedoms. This land project turns the painful history of suppression of our Earth-based spirituality into self-sufficiency, worldwide purpose, hope, compassion and connection. ⭐

Objectives of Creating the Land Project

Refuge for Lakota to teach and practice Earth-healing spiritual traditions and lifeways
Grow a Lakota sense of global belonging through connections with global tribal leaders
Mid-term improvement of several dismal Lakota community public health measures
Mid-term stronger legal, localized, sustainable economies (freedom from drug/sex trade)
Long-term environmental improvement of the homeland and Mother Earth as a whole

A Moving Cultural Haven

The nomadic village will roam across the 1,000 acres, embodying the traditions of the plains people, practiced by the Lakota and others. The Indigenous community’s cultural practices will design each space, as needed, and then remove the design when done, respecting Mother Earth. Accommodations will consist of round, handcrafted structures of wood, fiber, animal skin and earthen materials. The sacred circle will define the village layout wherever it is built. Join the circle of people who have dedicated donations to seeing this reality emerge.

The Accommodations

Living Quarters:

Tipi (portable round structures) and tipi style elder/visitor cabins constructed by hand
Personalizable living spaces with fire capability

Communal Space:

Roundhouse sheltering central fire and food preparation
Wide circular track of multi-use open floor space, with seating around the edge

Ceremonial Spaces:

Indoor-outdoor liminality with thick-pillared wood shelters forming a circular arena
Sweat lodges constructed as needed with willow canes, covered in animal skins

Bathroom Facilities:

Communally shared one-hole, ground-based, well-vented shelter
Composting toilets possible in individual living quarters, respecting cultural preference

Land-Dictated Design:

The Lakota are grateful for the gifts of round-building knowledge.
Round, conical structures withstand high winds and tornadic weather conditions
Repairable/replaceable natural materials, adjustable in extreme temperatures

THESE UNIQUE STRUCTURES NEED YOUR BACKING TODAY

What Will Happen On The Land?

The land and structures will act as a cultural gathering place, serving local tribes and hosting tribal leaders in comfortable tipis whose construction honors Mother Earth. Beyond global tribal gatherings, it will support local tribal efforts, land-focused programs for well-being, and activities for local Native groups like the Sacred Horse Society. The local groups will run camps, retreats, and skill-building sessions, returning the people to a wide selection of activities from archery to medicine. The Native-led site will serve as a hub for ceremonies like traditional wačípi (pow wows), sundance, and moontimes, fostering dedication to the betterment of both local and global communities.

Why Does This Matter For Everyone?

It is remarkable how a connection to the culture of our ancestors can heal us.⭐

For a tribal people marked by historic injustices, economic exclusion, and cultural suppression, the Lakota community now has virtually no access to land, high unemployment rates, and the lingering impacts of historical trauma. For global tribal communities who have survived similar travesties, witnessing the Lakota people’s successful return to the land for mutual healing and good health will serve as a living sign to all traditional Indigenous people that cultural healing and empowerment can be possible for tribal peoples and their allies worldwide.

A global return to Indigenous ways, centered on Earth stewardship, intergenerational wisdom, cultural interconnectedness, and respect of diversity, is key to achieving a more sustainable and harmonious world. Turning to a respect for nature, community cooperation, and immeasurable invisible connection, this land project will help society reevaluate modern values, build environmental consciousness, discover social cohesion, and gain a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity on a global scale. Help see the land project through with your donation.

Why Would This Matter to the Lakota and Dakota People?

By creating a space for cultural practices and ceremonies, this project contributes to a global recognition and celebration of diverse cultural expressions, fostering unity through shared human experiences. Embracing ancestral knowledge, sustainable living, and a harmonious connection to the Earth is vital for humanity's future. It ensures environmental sustainability, preserves cultural heritage, mitigates climate change, and promotes resilience to challenges. As a human race, we desperately need a renewed commitment to unity, ethics, and our environment, not just for the next seven generations’ survival, but for their centered well-being.

While the Lakota culture has endured centuries of damage from attempts to erase traditions, today, our Native community in the Black Hills preserves a rich body of wisdom. This land project stands as the unique space where Lakota families, carrying remnants of our ancestral ways, can freely bring and piece together our collective knowledge. Serving as a catalyst, our connections will weave our cultural remnants into a beautiful quilt, covering the entirety of remaining Lakota heritage.

Using a dedicated nomadic space to hold the intent of many groups already preserving Lakota culture has never before been attempted during the U.S. government's history occupying our land. This task is challenging, but these critical times demand our action.

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People Around The World Are Counting On This!

400 years ago the Mohawk made a treaty with the Lakota, and to this day the tribes still have a bond of duty to the other. More recently, Chief Izzy has in the past 40 years collected alliances across the North American continent, and in 2017 found an opportunity to connect with the global tribal leaders who participate in an annual gathering for better health through Indigenous ways. Chief Izzy has encountered pledges of help from not only tribal leaders from South America, Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia/NZ. Leaders of international initiatives housed in universities across the globe have also expressed interest in assisting with the land project.

The nature of the support

The globally distributed tribal leaders have pledged their connections to other tribal leaders, and the gift of their presence in the Black Hills after land acquisition to bring their similar knowledge of ceremony and prayer. They have pledged their social and political networks to promote internationally open events once they are produced on the land project. Academics have pledged intellectual support in the form of collaborative qualitative research surrounding the efforts to revitalize language and culture using dedicated land as a catalyst.

How this collaboration will be managed

Bringing the Sacred Back to the Black Hills Hesápa is led by a governing board headed by Chief Izzy Zephier, with officer leadership from a mix of Native and non-Native directors of other nonprofit organizations and initiatives that share the mission of the land project from across the United States. The advisory board consists entirely of Lakota elders, and we are in the process of filling seats in a steering committee formed from a selection of local leaders of grassroots organizations and cultural education programs.

The organization will be managed by qualified and capable professionals who have been hired because of their deep lived expertise as a member of a community that still widely carries identifiable cultural elements that were exercised by the plains people who roamed Turtle Island pre-contact with European conquerors and colonizers. We will undergo measures to hire as close to 100% as possible of our operation’s employees and contractors from within the People of the Seven Council Fires, especially for corporate-suite positions.

YOUR GIFT GETS IT ALL STARTED

Project Timeline

Phase 1: 2025

Land purchase
Construction of ingress and egress roadways
Agreement with at least 1 Lakota organization for cultural education services

Phase 2: 2026

Construction of year-round gathering building located a quarter-mile into the land
Agreement with at least 1 global tribal organization for cultural heritage event
Construction of permanent visitor quarters on road-accessible edge of land begins

Phase 3: 2027

Construction of permanent visitor quarters complete
First annual gathering of global tribal leaders

Be an Essential Part of This Vision.

Help us secure the sacred land for the Bringing The Sacred Back project, a global initiative led by Indigenous communities, including the Lakota tribe. This unique endeavor aims to reunite diverse Indigenous cultures, revitalize ancestral practices, and foster unity, healing, and understanding among all nations. Your support will enable the creation of a sacred haven in the Black Hills, providing a vital space for cultural exchange, traditional teachings, and sustainable practices. Together, let's preserve the Earth-humanity agreement and bring about positive change for the Indigenous and global communities.

Thank you to all you Good Hearts. What you have done, what your contribution has done, is to help a Vision to be fulfilled. And know that not only me, Chief Black Spotted Horse is saying thank you, but the greatest thank you is coming from the Creator himself, know that. Pilámaya. Líla wópila.

Support the 1,000-Acre Vision

Launching the journey toward land acquisition