Territorial Concept: Proposed Six Grandfathers (Mt. Rushmore) Lease With The U.S..

Hello All,

This concept today regarding as a possible solution to the controversy surrounding Mt. Rushmore. Stemming back to the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie with the Lakota Sioux Nation. It's not ideal, but allow me to set up the back story first off.

The South Dakota Black Hills Mountain range has been the ancestral lands of the Sioux Nation of American Indians. Originally "Mt. Rushmore" was known to the Lakota as "Six Grandfathers". However an advocacy group known as the "American Indian Movement" in 1971 renamed the mountain to "Mount Crazy Horse". The "Treaty of Fort Laramie of 1868" ensured the Black Hills would belong to the Sioux Nation in perpetuity. However gold prospectors crossing into the Sioux lands ignited the "Black Hills War". Which the United States stepped in and illegally confiscated the Black Hills in 1877 for themselves. Thus officially starting the land dispute that has followed the Lakota and surrounding Sioux tribes to this day.

In 1980 the "U.S. vs Sioux Nation of Indians" won a landmark case for the Sioux. Where the United States government was willing to pay the Sioux Nation $15.5 million dollars. This was the 1877 real estate market value of the Black Hills plus 5% interest amounting to a total of $105 million dollars in 1980. The Sioux Nation proudly refused the settlement offer only seeking to retain ownership of their ancestral lands. Since that time several individual tribal members have laid a claim to the settlement monies. However they're awaiting in limbo for approval of disbursement from the Court of such funds to date.

My concept allows the Sioux Nation to be awarded title deed ownership to the Black Hills Mountain region. However there is a catch which is to agree to a 100 year lease with the United State Government. Similar as to how the United States had a lease in the "Panama Canal Zone" or as it is now in "Gauntanamo Bay, Cuba". The Sioux Nation would be awarded back rent payments stemming from all the back to the year 1877. Which is when the United States government illegally seized the Black Hills from the Lakota Sioux Nation. So any of those individual tribal members laying claim to the settlement funds of 1980. Would have that settlement reclassified as back rent from this potential lease for the Black Hills.

Effectively the lease of the Black Hills if acceptable to both the Sioux Nation and the United States government. Can be set for 234 years time of which 134 years have already been served in the lease of the land. Where a remaining 100 years time is in effect as long as the United States keeps up in good standing its lease payments. The lease payments set at whatever base amount would increase at 5% every 10 years time or during the U.S. Census period. I chose 5% interest lease increase since it falls in line with the 5% interest increase from the 1980 settlement. That was originally refused by the Sioux Nation overall.

If the lease for the Back Hills is agreed to than the back lease payments and future lease payments. Would be deposited into a trust fund administered by the Sioux Nation Elders. Where the monies would be utilized for the betterment of all Sioux people and the tribal lands as a whole. Meaning it can be dispersed as a stipend payment to all Sioux. Including improvements to Sioux education, infrastructure of the tribal lands, tribal lands 1st responders IE police and fire rescue, cultural upliftment, commerce, and tourism.

The United States government would have 1st option to renew the lease of the Black Hills. At the conclusion of the remaining 100 year lease period. Otherwise full use of the Black Hills would revert to the Sioux Nation and its heirs. To use as they see fit in whatever manner that best suits their purposes.

(Note: I used Wikipedia for any pertinent historical accounts.)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Fort_Laramie_%281868%29