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Earlier this week an agreement was reached between area tribes and a family selling a tract of sacred land in the Black Hills known as Pe' Sla.
On Wednesday night, people gathered at Rapid City's Memorial Park to give thanks for Pe' Sla, which was nearly sold at auction nearly two weeks ago.
"People believe in the Bible, Adam and Eve, and how God created them. We believe in Pe' Sla," Cheyenne River Sioux Council Representative Robin LeBeau said.
"My heart beats very good that the Reynolds family is supportive on how we feel towards our sacred Black Hills and how much it means to us," Oglala Sioux Tribal Vice President Tom Poor Bear said.
Multiple tribes from around the region came together to reach the deal to purchase Pe' Sla.
"Our Lakota, Nakota, Dakota people gathered. They united to save their sacred site," LeBeau said.
"You know, what's been a saying among our people for many, many years is that the Black Hills is not for sale. Well, we have to look at today and we have to look at our future generations," Poor Bear said.
Posters created by the artist Shepard Fairey and National Geographic photographer Aaron Huey were distributed to rally-goers, who briefly lined Omaha Street.
"This is important to me because it is sacred, the land here is sacred, the traditions here are very sacred," demonstrator Amanda Ruiz said.
Tribal authorities are adamant that once the land transaction is complete, Pe' Sla will remain as theirs.
"Once we get it back it will never be for sale again. It will be passed on to our future generations all the way to the unborn," Poor Bear said.
The tribes have made a deposit on the land and the final payment isn't due until the end of November.
For details on the fundraising efforts still underway, click here.
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