Landowner asks Native American tribe for $3.9M for part of Wounded Knee site appraised at $7K
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — One of the country’s poorest Native American tribes wants to buy a historically significant piece of land where 300 of their ancestors were killed, but tribal leaders say the nearly $4 million price tag for a property appraised at less than $7,000 is just too much.
James Czywczynski is trying to sell a 40-acre fraction of the Wounded Knee National Historic Landmark on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to the Oglala Sioux Tribe. The land sits adjacent to a gravesite where about 150 of the 300 Lakota men, women and children killed by the 7th Cavalry in 1890 are buried.
Czywczynski, whose family has owned the property since 1968, recently gave the tribe an ultimatum: purchase the land for $3.9 million or he will open up bidding to non-Native Americans. He said he has been trying to sell the land to the tribe for years.
The ultimatum comes right before the tribe is poised to receive about $20 million from the Cobell lawsuit— a $3.4 billion settlement stemming from a class-action lawsuit filed over American Indian land royalties mismanaged by the government for more than a century.
“I think it’s ridiculous that he’s putting a price on it like that,” said Kevin Yellow Bird Steele, a tribal council representative from the Wounded Knee district, who thinks Czywczynski is putting pressure on the tribe because of the impending money. “We need to come down to earth and be realistic. We’re not rich. We’re not a rich tribe.”
Czywczynski insists the site’s historical significance adds value.
Along with its proximity to the burial grounds, the land includes the site of a former trading post burned down during the 1973 Wounded Knee uprising, in which hundreds of American Indian Movement protesters occupied the town built at the site of the 1890 massacre. The 71-day standoff that left two tribal members dead and a federal agent seriously wounded is credited with raising awareness about Native American struggles and giving rise to a wider protest movement that lasted the rest of the decade.
Czywczynski, who also is trying to sell another 40-acre piece of nearby land to the tribe for $1 million, also noted a coalition of Sioux tribes raised $9 million in December to buy land about 100 miles away in the Black Hills — although the Oglala Sioux Tribe did not contribute to that effort.
“I’m getting older now and my family and myself want to dispose of this property,” said Czywczynski, 75, who now lives in Rapid City. “We just want to see it in the hands of the Indian people rather than put it on the open market to the public.”
Craig Dillon, a tribal council member on the Land Committee, said he would like to see the tribe buy the land at Wounded Knee because then they could build a museum commemorating the massacre with artifacts, food vendors and a place for local artists to sell their art to visitors.
“But with the price the way it is, I don’t think the tribe could ever buy it,” Dillon said.
Source
VIDEO
If Mr.Czywczynski would rather see the property go back to the Native Americans rather than sell to the open market; then why is he asking for so much more than it's worth? Especially if the family's been trying to get rid of the property! What a shame.
Apopka, Fl
this is not ok... how sad I am for your people and their suffering ... my heart crys that this should be so...
Greed is a sad testament of the human condition and in this particular case is simply evil. This land has significance to a people and the crass exploitation of those people is blackmail of the most insidious order. If the land is not being used by that family, why the ridiculous price. It is ridiculous. Give the land to these people!!!
greed and money are the root of evil..Nobody truly owns land. It was given by mother earth. we are suppose to appreciate it and respect it.. we as a human race are lost.
HE SHOULD BE GIVING THE LAND TOO THE PEOPLE NOT SALE IT IT WAS THERES TOO BEGIN WITH
I cannot and will not judge this man or his family.If the land belonged to me I would sell it at "fair market value" to the Nation who have a hereditary interest, and right to it. If our government were interested in real justice they would pay for the land and give it to the Tribe.
How many times your Nation has to suffer caused by my Nation? I am truely sorry and hope that RIGHT we ne RIGHT one day! May your late dreams come finally true!
Sorry...I meant RIGHT will be RIGHT one day...
We need to pray that there will be no bidders from the open market and he will have to reduce price. He is shameful.
Make money off the disadvantaged-Capitalism at it's finest. What a disgrace to all indigenous people of the americas
Time for a little justice. Barry Obama can claim the land under eminent domain and do with it as he wishes. He could pay them $7000 in compensation. Back in 1968 this dude with the foreign name bought the land cheap from the allotment holder. This is on the up and up no kidding.
this is a perfect example of how greedy people are not to mention how people seem to forget the horrific crimes that were commited against all native americans this man needs to do some serious soul searching and offer this tract of land at a reasonable price or even better donate the tract it is for a good cause
Even if the Tribe had the money, what an outrage to basically blackmail the persons to whom the land belongs!
Wow, Mr.Czywczynski how do you sleep at night?
Jason Nicholson
Total BULLSHIT! However, I agree with a previous "anonymous" commenter: "Barry Obama can claim the land under eminent domain and do with it as he wishes."
That is what should happen but I doubt very seriously that he has the balls to do that.
THEE#1NDN
This is so sad and complete evidence of absolute Greed..hmm..Wouldnt it be nice if there were an outside source to buy the land, and turn it over to you? Are there any benefactors who would help, I wonder?
How do you put a price on land that you truly never really owned? His family got it back in 1968, look at the history of the land, so in reality the tribe should have more owner rights to it then he does. We take and take and then expect people to be ok with the evil that is done. This man needs to rethink his values, to believe you have the right to gouge the true land owners for the land is insane, and in reality the land really isn't his and never has been. I also believe that the right too many Native Historical lands need to be given back to the true owners, the people that lived there long before the White man came to force their way in and to the false ownership of the lands. MAY THE SPIRITS OF THE LAND SPEAK FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT!
Mr. Czywczynski, you appear to have been a money greedy young man, and now you are merely a money greedy old man ~ may i suggest you invest in "buying" yourself a soul at your sorry age, which could be accomplished by the very act of at least selling the land at fair market value to the indigenous people. They would get their land, and you would have not only settled with a fair and moral sale, your name would also be honoured forever at the completion of such (sale and your life). Posterity is a good thing, so please consider this.
The land should be purchased by the government and given back to the natives. This is sad. I hope the tribe or someone with money can help with this purchase! I will pray for this.
Czywczynski, 75, no longer young but still very greedy, Personally I believe he should donate it unless he really needs mony for a retirement center, in wich case, perhaps the Native people could come to an agreement to help him pay that cost until he passes.
I agree with Marge Platt's idea, assuming this jack-ass "Mr C" doesn't come to his senses earlier, to see that the tribe are the natural owners of this land, to either sell at "fair market value" or do the RIGHT thing & give the land free & clear: if I had the money, it would be gifted to the tribe in a matter of days. "Mr C" - ever heard of Karma?, you stupid, greedy sh*t!! & worthless human being.
The mere fact they are not entitled to their own property is outrageous, something is terribly wrong with the American people to allow this injustice
Greed....The root of all EVIL!!! That land belongs to the Tribe!!!! There were there LONG before 1968!!!
This cxzywickski guy is a prime example of the type of people I think are like "slinkys"..."They're really not much good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down a flight of stairs..."
An open letter to the Oglala Sioux Tribe:
We can not control other peoples' actions, only our own reactions.
We can NEVER right all the wrongs that have been done to your people, but I'm willing to try. We don't have much, but we will share what we do have. Where can we send donations to help purchase this land for your people?
Please keep the faith; if the Great Spirit wishes you to own this land, the Great Spirit will provide a way for you to purchase it.
May I suggest you set up a fund for donations? We can use social networking to reach out to millions of other people who I am certain will be willing to help your people put the land back in your possession where it belongs.
The awakening is happening and we will NO LONGER support the poor decisions of our ancestors and the past.
It is time for change. Let us begin right here with the Oglala Sioux Tribe and return this land to their people and their ancestors: the rightful owners.
Saundra Renz, Pahoa, Hawaii
sassyfur98@yahoo.com
If I were 75 and owned this land appraised at $7000, I'd sell it for the $7000, why should an old man be greedy? That's the number one thing wrong with the world today GREED!
Sounds like another white man trying to screw over the native man some things never change...
I agree with Sandra Renz... I don't have much but I would be willing to give what I could to help the Native People! If there is a way to do this, please let me know!
Lauretta,
Alabama!!!!
Only1retta1964@yahoo.com
Hi I'm an a Aboriginal man from our village called canada ...You see the settler's come here and call it a village ,At that time ,,Then they took the land away over here as well as in the USA ...And then they start calling it canada ....Just a point I'd like to make first on here ,But what I'd like to say is the Goverment over there should take over that land take it away on this Mr.Greedy man ,And do the right thing give it back to our Brother's and sister's over there ....WOW great a brain you can't sell land where people has family burried ...That's pretty sick ...Its the Goverment's fault this all happened so they should out of respect stand up to their fault's and deal with this ...Which I know they won't cause, that's just the way they are They never want to fix thing's up that they mess up them self's ...TRUE THAT IT'S THE SAME OVER HERE IN OUR VILLAGE ......AHO .....
The Oglala Sioux Tribe should buy it. Get others to support. I would. If you publicized this I believe you would not only raise all or most of the funds, you would help grow the global indigenous movement. Sure it is a high price, but the legacy and meaning do not have a price. To me it is obviously two different things. I hear people complaining about the greed above, but that issue is so huge and in the era of supposed 'Free Markets' the entire system is corrupt. As is the fact that the land was originally invaded and stolen. It IS a huge injustice. But facing that power is such an ominous task ... so to use a cliche: 'money talks'. Good luck to the Oglala Sioux Tribe from Australia.
Donations to help the tribe buy this piece of land would be a good idea. This man is just trying to rip off the tribe for their money. this man should have charges brought up against him. Thi native american people have been riped off for way to long by this country and the white eyes.
Good luck getting this piece of land.
Tim Henson
Can't the tribe just wait until it's on the open market and then buy it at market value? I want it in the hands of the tribe too, but if it is actually overpriced at $4 million then they'll get the best deal when it's open to all.
Father God, please change his heart......
shame on you Czywczynski...
When Financial cost are drastically not in line with economic profit then mr. C does have a huge problem. Their are other deductions then just the FMV of the land if he chooses to donate the land back to the Sioux.
It's Lakota land! Many of us would donate to the cause, it' s possible!!
This land belongs to the Native Americans they should not have to buy something back that was stolen from them in the first place. That said if everyone who see this story would send the tribe $1, $5, $10 and show them not everyone is greedy. If we can show them we care. How wonderful could that be to work toward healing some of the pain of the past.
This is just another example of how my people are wronged!
...when will it ever end?
Saundra Renz...BLESS YOU!
I hope he opens his eyes , A little old to piss of GOD
I wonder how much he'd want if he owned the Katyn Forest in Poland, where thousands of Polish officers were massacred in 1938 ? This is an abomination and if Mr. C has any faith in Jesus, as most Polish people do, he' d tremble for his sin. As for myself, I am sure that many Spirits see this and weep
While I believe the funds COULD be raised through goodwill donations to the tribe - it makes me sick and sad to think of that much money being spent so needlessly. I sincerely hope the tribe does not bow to this extortion. This would be another sad chapter in the list of wrongs done to the Oglala. Whether the tribe pays it, or the government pays it, or a donor pays it -- it's wrong, this man will have to face his maker, and what a shame filled meeting that will be.
He is eventually going to put it on open market or keep it, if its on open market they will not agree to that selling price, so the realtors will knock him into reality about it because no one is going to pay that much for 40 acres of land filled with graves, its bad luck. he will eventually knock it down, because Native Americans will be here forever, whats his face only has a few years left. Play the waiting game, eventually you will get it, and if anyone has any true respect left, no one is going to buy it out from under you. Time will fix this problem, or so we can all hope. My heart goes out to you, i wish you the best of luck in this.
This land belongs to these people,buy all rights if you were any kind of a person you would give it to them.But no you are like the rest you want the all might dollar.Well friend you will stand in front of god one day and you will pay for your greed. Just like all the ones before you who stole this land in the first place.There heart breaks and you pay no mind to it because you have no heart.You should be a shamed of yourself.I know I'am a shamed of you and all persons like you.These people are beautiful and so many treat them like dirt you are all fools.If people would listen to these very smart people we would not have the problems we have today.
I must say to the Oglala Sioux I love this country that I call home.How ever there are people who live on this land that make me hang my head in shame because of the evil things that was done to all of the tribes.I wish that I could give you back your lands and make all the bad people go back to where they came from. Then maybe this land could heal and be whole once again.I would like to Apologize to all of you for all the bad that the white man did to you and yours.I know it is not much but it is all I have to give you.My heritage is French, Welsh, English and Indian. But the Indian blood line is 4 generations back to my great grandmother on my moms side so I really can not claim it now.But I'am proud of the fact that it was there.It was not the Sioux though,it was Apache but still very proud people.I have always thought this since I was a small child that the white man owes the Indians. But sorry to say they will never been there stiff knees. But you know as well as me that most of them are Walking eagles.My heart to you all,and may the great spirit bless you this land that is yours.
So he wants to sell the land that he and other europeans stole, back to the first people, at inflated price... and he sees nothing wrong with this.
My Heart cries for the Sioux people
Good grief! Will the white man ever stop trying to cheat the Indian people??? If this guy truly wanted to see this property go back to the Indians, he would donate it or sell it for a LOT less than he is asking. Pure greed. At 75 he is not long for this world himself. He ought to think about what will be waiting for him in the afterlife. May his torment equal that of the lives lost at wounded knee.
this goes back to the beginning when Native Americans asked the Europeans "How can we sell you something we don not own?". It is possible to buy and sell/trade fairly, but this way has been forgotten. Money is not the root of evil, EVIL is the root of money.
How can they sell a some thing that should've been declared a NATIONAL LANDMARK in the first place???? They do it for houses and buildings all the time! They should do it for this, IT IS WELL WORTH IT FOR THE HISTORY ALONE................
All these so called rich " Philanthropist " ie. Ellen, Bill Gates, Oprah who gives millions to other countries should step in and buy this land and give it back to the tribe. If out of some stroke of good luck I won the mega lottery I would buy it and give it back no strings attached. I am part Cherokee and this makes me very ashamed of my Irish "white" heritage!
some things never change.
Barbara miller has the right idea
Mr. Czywczynski, Karma will bite you in the butt, and you will pay for your selfishness; if not in this lifetime, then in the next plane of existence. You better think about what is in store for you on the other side since it won't be too long given your age. Is this what you want to leave as a legacy? Where is your moral compass? Shame on you!
That is just so wrong, I wish I had the money to give to the tribe to buy it but unfortunately I do not. It is an insult that he just does not give it to the tribe instead of profiting off the tribe. White man has profited enough off the tribes
Bizarre this is about land ownership. The entire root of that multiple hundreds killing was pushing that tribe of the land they lived on--not owned because that was not their culture--but were an inseperable part of and which for all intents and purposes did belong to them if that kind of a value was going to be assigned to it by or for anybody. The fact this is happeneing and can in fact legally be happening, shows how this society has not moved forward ideologically from the mindset fueling motivating and within that historical time, even normalizing this massacre. I know one of the main arguments people that dont agree with native rights payments or landclaims make is that it is all "rascist". I don't believe that. I think this was a wrong of greed, and conveinence justified long long ago by saying the people who already lived in that very spot had no right to continue doing so seeing as they didn't have written documents that eoropeans did. Held to that standard, once society begins to recognize that there were native rights to this land and what had in favct happened was reprehensible, then, it becomes clears that estate inheritance is also a legal right. I see this landowners point of view: he paid money for the land. However, the amount being asked seems greedy and opportunistic seeing as the only reason that earth mass chunk has extra value is because of tourists and interest in that indian tradgedy. Wow. Also the government should step in. Also the entire concept of owning chunks of the interconnected and finite earth to hoard for ones self will hopefully one day be addressed as being in and of itsself an ugly problem.
Many people do not understand how eminent domain works.
Tribe should look into setting up a non-profit then hit up all the Indian casinos for tax write off contributions to buy it.
After listening to the video , I think they should exercise their right to take that land by imminent domain!
The native people have always been abused. If this man has any kind of heart he should sell it for the right amount. He will face the creator someday like each of us will. He will have to answer to him. This should be native land, an protected by native people.
The laws governing this kind of land ownership are apparently archaic and unwieldy, and the tribe probably can't afford a lengthy legal dispute. I wonder how wide the possibilities would be if this landowner opened the market on the sale. He might not be able to get much from other buyers. It would be awesome if there was a fundraiser, and the funds went to finance the buy through a 3rd party. A 3rd party would not have to raise nearly $4 million, as that is not a realistic competitive offer on this land. Then that party would release the ownership back to the Sioux: "Sorry we appropriated the use of this land for so long, here it is, fully restored to your use, for the same price we paid you to take it from you, so many years ago: $0."
In the big scheme of things, I don't even think this is about land ownership, anymore. It should be about actions and gestures to begin righting wrongs, and about being the people we have the potential to be, individually and collectively in this new century. Surely we can do better than greed.
This land should be given to the tribe. It is shameful that it would ever be up for sale and not preserved as a cultural or historical site. I am only signing as anonymous because I do not have any of those other accounts.
Sabina - agreed
Just infuriating! The lawsuit is monies that belong to the Native Americans. Why should they have to buy their own land back...oh yeah, because that's the mission of non-Native Americans - to screw the underdog!
I want to help!
Me, too! How can we help?
@Chris B, seems that the government could claim eminent domain - their pressing interest being historical preservation, and buy that land at market value and then sell or gift it to those Native Americans at far less than what the current owner is trying to sell it for. They must not pay him that for it. That land does not mean that much to anyone else but them. Let him open it on the market. Someone kind will buy it for far less and do the right thing and gift it to them. God willing, it is written...
I am willing to help, how can it be done?
I have but one question, what country did this guy migrate from and would he do this to his native countrymen? Return what does not rightfully belong to you.
Mr. C could receive a percentage of profits generated by trhasfer / lease of the land.
Why do they need to buy this land, when it belongs to them in the first place??!!
posting and sharing this article in as many place as i can,,,,this whole scenario is disgusting!!
This is truely a sad picture to take in. Why do we Indians get the shitty end of the stick whenever the Government rears it's ugly head. just so "NOT RIGHT!"
This sacred land has and always will belong to the Indians. What a shame to try and sell out from underneath their feet. RESPECT the burial grounds.
it's sad to see that he wants to sell the land for such a high price...if he thinks the land is so valuable and wants to give it to the Native People, I'll take it...but not at that price...he is clearly taking advantage of the tribes impending money comming to them...how can we help?
I'm not a Native American, I do have some distant lineage. My heart aches. This is just another way to take advantage of the original cartakers of this country. My name is Renee Feagans and I will pray for the right thing to be done and I will pass this story along.
The ground was once stolen of the native people so, for heaven sake, simply GIVE it back !!
$3.9 mil for land that's only worth $7,000? Even with mineral rights and the history of the land it's not worth that much money. This is just plain GREED!!! At most, with the mineral rights, he shouldn't ask more than $25,000. The Nation should just use their power to take the land.
Our government has a history of 'stealing' land under the eminent domain laws. Wouldn't it be nice if they told this man they were giving him the $7,000 it was actually worth to create a federal memorial. As someone already said...if this greedy 'bastid' really wanted the native americans to have it, he wouldn't try bilking them out of 3.9 ml.
...... some of the rich that have grabbed up the land in montana should buy this land in ND and give it back to the "nation".....at a "FAIR" not inflated price from this thief!!!
i agree with alot of the people about the land that it is not worth it, but i lived there,grew up there and i see what the land is worth. so i must say why don't the u.s.govt. come in and just take the land like they did with the black hills and other land around native country.one of the greatest leaders once said" one can not sell the land for which it does not belong." we all are just caretakers of the land we can't take it with us when we die, so why not just gift it to the tribe to caretake for people. aho
this is a business deal. No different than selling a collectable. you only have certain groups who are interested. It is basically worthless to anyone else. All you bleeding hearts are quick to take this man to task with his property. Put your money where your mouth is and help the indians buy it.
How white of you! If you think sacred ground is the same as "collectible" then you have no concept of God, Religion or Spirituality. Perhaps the God of Greed or money. The "White" God.
The man says he would like it to goto the Sioux, then why doesn't he take fair market value?
U.S. government should give the land back and pay the Ogala Sioux Tribe the money that is owed to them. I do not believe that the injustice and massacre of Native Americans can ever be totally righted but it must never be forgotten. It is time my government assume accountability and responsibility and stand behind all agreements made with Native American people. How can the United States ever position itself as leaders for Global Human Rights until it walks the walk it talks. I am so disgusted that somehow people who believe their own lies think they should govern the world just to promote their ideology of greed, corruption, and destruction. It is time to say enough and stand together. This has been going on since the creation of this Great Country. As my grandmother taught me years ago, the crime orchestrated against the American Indians will be done to all people who stand in the way of greed's agenda.
IM DAMN MAD < I AM UTE, MR C SHAME ON YOU WOUNDED KNEE IS SACRED BURIAL GROUNDS ,IS NOTHING SACRED ANYMORE? MICHELLE MEYER
And who should own all the land where Lakota murdered, raped, pillaged other Native tribes around them, all in an effort to destroy them, take their lands and things? There is no difference just because one crime was done by people of one's own race and another was committed by peoples form a different race. The land owner has the legal right to do as he wishes with it, it is his land now.
I agree that the government should come up with $7k (or whatever price) and give the land back to the Lakota. Now, how can we make it happen? I think a petition might be a good start.
For what these poor people sufferd on that dreadful day and now this I am lost for words.
It could be donated as a historical and teaching site. written off for tax purpouses. or even done on payments. a % of any tourist revenew could be used to pay for it. I lean more to the donation thing myself. It's what I would do.
How can this man own reservation land if he is not Native-American? And how can he sell it to non-Native- Americans? He should be arrested for extortion!
My wife"s grandfather survived the massacre at Wounded Knee, it is still to this day a very hard memory to recall. This sacred place where the people can still come to pay their respects and say their prayers is a living testimony of the terrible hurt we feel. My wife's mother took her to this sacred place and pointed out some names on the stone marker. She asked as a child, why dosen't grampa have any alive relatives and the family would not answer her. Her family had to hide their heritage to avoid being taken to the Indian schools or worse. My wife now knows of the sale of this land and maybe we can come together as a people and free this sacred place and protect it for the coming generations. It is part of our sad history.
This land is no longer for sale. This land has always belonged to a sovereign nation, of sovereign beings who can prove their uninterrupted residence as sovereign beings on their lands. There is no issue here. It's over. We can do this in common law court over & over on video, to help educate people about this, if that is nice. Or we can just settle this now. Morally, philosophically, by the Law of Life and by the Laws of Sovereignty, this land is the land of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. This is Lakota land, and always has been. It's not anything we have to fight over, or argue about, because there is essentially NO issue whatsoever. All we have to do is teach this Truth to all of our Human Family and that's it. End of babylon system. I will be glad to write and publish an open letter to Mr. 4 million bucks (ass) later today. Peace.
The land should have been taken from him years ago! what will he do with the bodies that are still there, I promise you that our dead ancestors will stand for this anything he tries to build there will be cursed!
whitewolfpack.com please note that this video is now broken
Start a facebook page to raise money. You might be surprised how much you would get. Any intelligent people today would help this with this effort. Enough already with what has been done wrong to Native people. We need to give back what we stole. I am part native american, and am ashamed of my european heritage.
The man and his family who are attempting to sell the land for such an exorbitant price will one day pay in other ways for the wrong they are doing the Lakota people. If they truly want the Lakota to have the land they should either make the selling price a rational price or just give it to the Lakota people.
It is THEIR land; period!!!! Give the land BACK to the Native Americans!!!! These poor people's horrible injustices are still ongoing. Im sorry but this is much worse than the all the ethnic cleansing attempts worldwide EVER b/c it is still ongoing!!!!! Pitifully shamefull. :'(
Maybe if this was your heritage you'd feel differently but than again ignorance like this runs entirely too deep. SHAME on you!!!
Why not make this sacred land to the real I speak native Indian tribes who sprinkled the holy land with their own blood. You do not have the right you men who think profits than done with all that can be sold, it would be human persons. I am outraged as a descendant of the Navajo tribe. I pray that God will inspire you not to sell this earth that has seen so many murders committed.
My name is : Ingrid Winona Kalbusch .
This sickens me . How can you possibly expect to sell land to someone who it already rightfully belongs to ? Our Native brothers & sisters are buried here ! It is sacred ground ! How would the sellers feel if we decided to go and take over their loved ones burial site ? They wouldn't like it . Then to add insult to injury lets throw a price tag on there and tell them they can have their loved ones back for $3.9 million . Hasn't enough been taken from our people as is ? Now you want to take more ? And to want to take a historical landmark ? When and where does the greed stop ?
American Greed, Not only a TV series, but and infection that plagues everyone who thinks of them selves first.
I'm very hurted to know that this land is for sale ??? this land which is the land of the Lakota people, at least for me I believed that, where their ancestors are died, this land belong to them, this land isn't to sale, it belon to Natives.
What ever happened to Johnny Depp wanting to buy it. Did he back out of what he said?
How dare they expect the land that was forcibly taken from them back.....after all, previous American "immigrants"....enacted a genocide of the First Nations peoples, in numbers FAR greater than Hitler accomplished or even conceived of...After all that effort... how silly of them to expect the slightest reparation from any of their descendants. One would think that First Nation peoples would understand these immigrant invaders after all of these years...they care for nothing but $$$$$.
and here is a greedy old man holding onto his wallet at the end of his life... an old man at the end of his life with not an ounce of humanity in his heart
This man is greedy and evil he knows whathe is doing is wrong and it will come back to haunt him and may the wolves hunt his soul in the after life for this
The concept of ownership walked hand in hand with the manifest destiny that moved all the original peoples from their homes. The original stewards of the land they were, and still are. Look around and see how well the proponents of manifest destiny live today, they murder their own, they connive to gain more wealth through frauds and scams. Then all claim to live in the light of the Creator as they perform their little tricks while wearing their earthly robes. Nobody owns anything. Simple concept and the better you take care of what you are overseeing the more it help you in return ...
We are to take care of this earth. It is a commandment from God. No one really owns the land. It should not be sold. He will one day pay for what he is doing today.
sara wattenbager.
what a thief that wasichu.basterd.
This man is not going to sell a $7,000 piece of property for 4 million to anyone who has a brain. A reliable property appraisal will include 'historic' value. It's a long way from $7,000 to 4 million, no way to adjust for that difference.
Sounds to me like he's trying to make a killing here. Using scare tactics to get his millions. He's nuts if he thinks anyone will go for it. The tribe needs to get their own appraisal and make sure they hire someone reputable who will stand up for them, if necessary. Then tell him 'no deal' at that price. Should someone else step forward, they have the appraisal and can negotiate from that.
If they think Johnny Depp is dumb enough to pay millions for something worth $7,000...I doubt it. But they might get him to pay for a lawyer and the appraisal. The more legal stuff they can force this guy's eyes open with, the better. They should not fall for this obvious swindle though.
This goes alone the same lines, of why the real state market just draged the whole country into a depression! Where is the ones aponted to defende comsumers? We have no one on our side as consumers? To see that prices are base on real value, like the "fare capitalism" that our great ansestors ment to happen! Way back when government was for the best intrest of THE PEOPLE,
The same that took our contry to be the greatest nation that we once new! that atracted millions and millions of emigrants of every nations, as my self! And my parents, to want to joing it, and the one that still maight hold the highest standard of living of many countries, putting lighty, if we stand on our grounds and defend our rights, and end the present conflict of intrest that exist, in which the wealthy owns the government, who we traditionally placed our hopes on, to maintain justice, like back when our vote was in trade of getting the fulfilment of the intrest of the nation's majority, not just the privilege few!
Only then! our Indian roots that graciously allowed every one to enter this land, originally, when their good will, still hinder them to suspect their fate, will alone with the rest of us get treated farely!
I agree that the US Government should just take the land via eminent domain and pay a fair price for the land, and make it part of the park service lands. $7,000 might be slightly cheap, but $4 million is ridiculous. I don't know what the owner paid for it but he might be paid that amount plus a little for inflation. Then the tribe could use the land as they see fit.
Mr. Czywczynski, you should be ashamed of yourself, my ancestors walked that trail as did many others. You are a greedy, miserable wretch. You should not even sell it to them, but you should GIVE it to them. Do the right thing, and give it to the rightful owners. You are a disgrace to the human race. I am sure there is a special place in hell for someone as greedy and mean spirited as you are.
The us government should step up and apologize to the Lakota people be purchasing this land and titling it to the Lakota. The stole the black hills from them and killed and stole their children from them. When will this stop? We go to war with Saddam Hussein to stop his persecution of the Iraq people, yet the USA does nothing to make right what they did to the people of this country. This country belonged to them and we invaded and stole it from them. We were the illegal emigrants and we should have to make this right.
If Mr Czyiwczynski is so sure he wants it in hands of the Lakota people, He should realize that this land was there to begin with and his price is offensive to both Lakota and Whites alike. Money hungry gets nothing in the long run. I hope he is proud of the example he is setting for his generations that follow
white man is never going to learn a single thing from his sins. he is going to repeat them, in a circle that can end in only two ways. the white man will eat himself, starting from toes on the feet and ending it by eating his own mouth, or some other man or something will come along and do upon him what he did upon the tribes, repeatedly troughout the history and the entire planet, for as long as can be remembered.
i, the spirit, will stand aside, watch and learn, as the white man is led trough the valley of suffering, slowly, step by step, drop by drop of the blood from his heart