Veering from Highway 385 onto 79, then onto the first unmarked road heading east, the Badlands are nowhere to be seen but the expansive Pine Ridge Indian Reservation offers enough gems to keep my camera clicking. The reservation is 2.7 MILLION acres, more than twice the size of Delaware and is home to the Oglala Lakota American Indian tribe, descendants of such famous warrior chiefs as Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and Crazy Horse.
Originally part of the Great Sioux Reservation established under The Treaty of 1868, the reservation faces grave challenges. I left the reservation with photographic captures that are evocative, beautiful and especially poignant when you contrast them with the harsh reality of the human lives there. Passing the photos on to you for enjoyment, in essence taking away only the good from a place whose “bad” is in such opposition, doesn’t feel right to me. Love may be what makes the world go round, but awareness is what makes the turn worthwhile. From the Indian Youth Organization website: “With the exception of Haiti, life expectancy is lower here than anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere (men – age 48, women – age 52), infant mortality rates are the highest in the United States, and many families have no electricity, telephone service, running water, or sewers and must use wood burning stoves to heat their homes.” There are several grass roots organizations assisting with agricultural education and well-water management. If you’re interested in more, check out the website Running Strong for American Indian Youth.
By this time I’ve traveled via dirt road completely around the South Unit of the Badlands (meaning the reservation, which is NOT part of the National Park although they are purportedly working on some agreement). There are no access points for the sunset shot I plan to capture so I head to the North Unit. Clarification — there are no LEGAL access points. I’m aware I’ve been trespassing at certain points of the day, although I never knowingly violated posted signs. And every footfall has been VERY respectful. I’m certain that makes no difference, but I feel better about it.
The latter part of the day has been dreary and my hopes are not high for the glorious spread of slanted end-of-day rays so needed by the gray, bland Badlands. Racing around without a good map of the Park (yes, they’re open 24/7 but the entrances are not staffed this time of year, so no maps are handed out as you enter), I find this:
Not what you expected of the Badlands? Me either. A treasure indeed.
The day ends with this:
The perfect ending to a perfect day. Since I’ve previously made a complete post based on this one shot, I won’t bore you with a repeat. If you’ve not read about all that transpired for this to magically insert itself into my camera, click here (it’ll be worth your time).
The day actually ended with this:
My brother recommended I may like this website. He was once entirely right.
This put up actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how so
much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
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Comment by Nannie — September 28, 2013 @ 3:52 pm
[…] around the North Unit of Badlands National Park. The loop ends at Interior. To continue into the South Unit’s 2.7 million acres of sprawling erosion of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, proceed past Imlay to […]
Pingback by 25 memorable sights: The Black Hills — July 3, 2012 @ 3:37 pm
Hey Tammie is the whole area that you were at 2.7 million acres?
At my school we are learning about the Indian Wipe out in when Andrew Jackson was president. He took 2.7 million acres of there land. Dop you think you can describe more on what 2.7 million is?
Comment by Vanessa — March 31, 2010 @ 6:17 pm
Hello Tammie,
I live and work on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and though I found your photography very good, your captions are incorrect. The “dry goods store” you photographed is in fact an old basketball court (converted into an auction house) (the signs on the outside are for effect by the owners who rely pretty heavily on tourists, bikers, and such passing through for business) and it is in fact not on the reservation. The town of Scenic, where this photograph was taken, is north of the Pine Ridge Reservation itself. It is a wonderful visual place, however it’s history has never been, and remains, no very “Indian” friendly. The bar to the left of this building still has the faded sign painted on it that says, “No Indians Allowed.” And a newer sign, just as bad, or perhaps worse that says, “Indians Allowed.” No biggie. Just an fyi so that your caption is correct.
However, the “burial scaffold” is blatantly wrong. It is not a burial scaffold, representational or otherwise. It is a traditional Lakota (post reservation) structure, called a “shade.” Lakota people often build these outside their homes, powwow grounds, branding pens, etc. to provide, as the name implies, shade from the heat of the sun.
I only write to you because your photography is very good and I wanted your captions to be correct. Some Lakota people might take offense to what I believe are simple mistakes and I wanted to help by providing the correct information.
I too am a photographer and I am not a Lakota, though my wife and her family are. I hope this helps and that you return some day to take some pictures actually on the reservation. It is a surprisingly beautiful place. It has a sad history, but the landscape and the people are wonderful.
Thanks for your images. They are very good.
Jason
Comment by Jason — September 14, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
Great article, really mind blowing photo’s. Really thank you
Comment by Tony — June 11, 2009 @ 2:07 am
WALL DRUG
Comment by Nickus — June 4, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
Hi Tammie,
I’m planning the very same type of trip you are on right now! So I was glad to see your blog! I plan on buying a pop up trailer and towing it behind my camry. Will leave Martha’s Vineyard Island in Jaunuary (Hopefully) and take a few months to drive cross country. Then stay in California awhile with friends and drive back east across Canada. I’ve done alot of solo photography camping trips. Love it! So have a great adventure! Like your photos very much, keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Sarah 🙂
Comment by Sarah Mayhew — May 3, 2009 @ 6:02 pm
the last picture is clearly the best of all. hands down. and nice plug for Sony and North Face ! 😉
but you didn’t really take those other pictures did you??? DID you ??!! yes my mouth is open.
meanwhile, your writing blows them all out of the water. inspiring and educational and fun – not an easy mix to achieve. but hey, you do in all of your posts. bravo.
Comment by Kerrin - MyKugelhopf — April 30, 2009 @ 11:48 am
You are an AMAZING photographer. The Badland pics are bad-a*^^ !!!
Comment by Wanderlust Women — April 12, 2009 @ 6:19 am
You are an AMAZING photographer. The Badlands photos kick ass!
Comment by Wanderlust Women — April 12, 2009 @ 6:16 am
Tammie,
I am so going to the Badlands! You have singlehandedly opened up this part of the world to me!
Jen
Comment by jen laceda — April 8, 2009 @ 8:40 am
Well, JJ beat me to it-what an incredible bit of wisdom! Although the last photo is one of a ‘weary traveler,’ it is the face of an absorption. Absorption of knowledge and adventure. To me, that is one beautiful thing and as always, I’m inspired!
Comment by Joie — April 6, 2009 @ 10:45 am
“love may be what makes the world go round but awareness is what makes the turn worthwhile.” Few statements are grounded in this sort of truth. Well said.
You rock.
Comment by JJ — April 6, 2009 @ 9:12 am
Just discovered your site today via Facebook (of all places!). I admire your courage to go out alone…love road trips but I don’t drive so hubby and I are partners in crime! Absolutely love your photos and the site; I am adding you to my regular reading list via Google reader. So inspiring…photos, writing, all of it. Thank you!! 🙂
Comment by Tina of Pfeiffer Photos — April 3, 2009 @ 2:03 pm
Tammie … wow! I love that area of the States … my kids were just out there traveling with my Dad a couple of years ago, and I have vivid images of them being “blown” around on the Badlands. Your photos (and commentary) make me cry. Our “American” heritage is such a mixed trail of good and travesty … and while slavery was horrid and cruel, it is well documented. The plight of the First Ones is still a sly footnote in a history we’d rather not deal with. Anyway, stepping off my soap box and thanking you for the incredible pictures and stories!
Comment by Gina — April 3, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Tammie, all these years we have known each other… this incredible talent was hidden and just waiting to be awakened. This truly is a part of the Badlands that not many of us have seen, thanks for bringing this to life for your readers. I am very proud of you. See you soon.
Comment by T. R. — April 2, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
Hello again Tammie! I wanted to pop in and let you know I’ve chosen to award your site for the Proximity Award. Drop by my blog anytime to pick it up. claymama1.blogspot.com Thank-you for all that you share!
Comment by Clay Mama — April 2, 2009 @ 10:45 am
Not only do you give us drop dead gorgeous pictures, you give us so much really interesting information about the places you find. Thank you. Mirrored self image shot?? Pretty neat!
Comment by Clay Mama — April 1, 2009 @ 8:49 pm
Amazing adventure. I’m glad you weren’t picked up by the Tribal Police or the FBI…now that’s not the kind of solo road trip I’d imagine. The pictures are amazing. I love the boardwalk that goes on forever. When’s the next post?
Comment by Pops — April 1, 2009 @ 8:43 pm