Yellow Bird, Inc.
Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run
PO Box 1138, Lame Deer MT 59043
406-477-8720
spiritseeker@rangeweb.net
NEWS RELEASE
On January 9, 1879, approximately 130 Norhern Cheyenne people
(majority of these people were women and children), broke
out of their wooden barracks and escaped from Fort Robinson,
Nebraska. The Cheyenne’s were part of two groups of
Indians that had earlier been sent to Fort Reno, Oklahoma,
as a containment measure by the United States government
with the understanding that Oklahoma would be a temporary
stay. After broken promises of food and shelter for the
People, the Cheyennes continued to suffer from hunger and
sickness. The Cheyenne Chiefs and Council decided to return
their people home to Montana to prevent more deaths and
suffering. The long march home began. Their two chiefs,
Dull Knife and Little Wolf led over three hundred Cheyennes.
To prevent capture by the Cavalry, the Chiefs divided their
people into two groups. Little Wolf’s band continued
the march north, while Dull Knife’s band were captured
by the Cavalry at Fort Robinson in Nebraska. Dull Knife’s
Cheyenne’s consisted mainly of women and children.
They were forced to go without food , water, and heat for
five days as the United States Cavalry worked o returning
them back to Oklahoma. On the 6th day, on January 9th, 1879
at 10:00 PM, in subzero temperatures, Dull Knife upon the
council of his people, decided to risk death by escaping
into the bitter weather. They attempted to return to Montana
rather than die from starvation in the barracks, or death
as a result of the return to Fort Reno, Oklahoma. Unfortunately,
the majority of the People were killed at the Fort during
the escape, but some fled into the hills and traveled 40
miles before the Cavalry caught up and slaughtered them
at daybreak. The bodies were buried in the depression where
the unarmed Cheyenne had sought cover, this is known as
“The Last Hole”. Today the rancher that owns
this land hears cries at night from those killed years ago.
Many of the people did not realize their dream to return
to their homes in Montana even after death, because the
United States Army doctors kept the remains of the People
for scientific study for than a century. However, in October
1993, the remains of 18 Cheyennes were repatriated and finally
returned home the Dog Soldiers and Cheyenne Tribal officials,
to their final resting place in Busby, Montana. The funeral
procession stopped by Fort Robinson to offer prayers and
to convey to their ancestors that they were being taken
home.
Among the few who survived the slaughter in Nebraska were
those who found haven in the Oglala Sioux lodges of Chief
Red Cloud’s people who were camped at Fort Robinson
in the winter of 1879-79. For many years nothing was done
to commemorate our ancestors sacrifice, until recently.
In 1996 Phillip Whiteman, Jr. with the help of his family
held the 1st Annual Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run
with 9 descendents participating on a 76 mile run through
the communities on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. In
1999 the organizers decided to run from Fort Robinson in
Nebraska to the gravesite in Busby, Montana, a 400 mile
journey.
2008 marks the 12th year of the Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual
Run, it has grown to include 150 participants from the Northern
Cheyenne Reservation and has become an educational tool
to instill pride, self-esteem and respect back in the youth.
The journey takes 5 days, running approximately 80 to 100
miles per day. The youth runners participating range in
age from seven to young adults. Many of the participants
are considered “at risk” youth and come from
disadvantaged and troubled homes. They run through Nebraska,
South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana. The teams take turns
running in relays. Each team has an adult team leader, which
oversees the team. They run from sunrise to late into the
night. Not only is the run physically challenging but spiritually
and emotionally challenging as well.
This run teaches many valuable lessons to the youth and
to the adults. Through unity and working together it teaches
a sense of responsibility to ones self as well as to the
group, community, and Northern Cheyenne People. It teaches
how to overcome adversities and how to work through problems.
Today, more than ever there is a great need to connect our
youth to their identity and to Mother Earth.
The runners not only pay homage to the Northern Cheyenne
ancestors that sacrificed their lives, but to all Native
Peoples ancestors. To commemorate the allied friendship
between the Lakotas and the Cheyenne the Dull Knife and
Young Man Family and the Oglala Community on the Pine Ridge
Indian Reservation and the Indian Community of Rapid City
organize meals and speakers offering words of encouragement
for the runners as they pass through these communities.
In addition the runners stop at Crazy Horse Monument and
Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. This run is not only a commemoration
but a continuation of the healing that needs to take place
for all People.
The dates for the Fort Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run are
January 8th- 14th, 2008. With January 9th being a Day of
Education beginning at 9 am at the Crawford Community Center
in Crawford Nebraska. The runners will “Breakout”
and begin running at 10 PM, the approximate time of the
actual breakout in 1879. The elders sing the “Dog
Soldiers song” as the runners mock the “breakout”.
This is very emotional. Everyone is invited to encourage
the runners as they are running through the communities
in Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. In addition,
many businesses and organizations have contributed to the
runners. For more information or sponsorship for the run
contact Phillip Whiteman Jr. or Lynette Two Bulls (406)477-8720
or email spiritseeker@rangeweb.net.
Fort Robinson Outbreak Run Schedule
Tues, Jan. 8 2007
1:00 pm Depart Lame Deer School
5:00 pm Supper at Rapid City
9:00 pm Arrive at Fort Robinson, Crawford, NE
Runners spend night in officers quarters at Ft. Robinson
& Motel 6, Chadron, NE (303)432-3000
Wed, Jan. 9
9:00 am Opening, Speakers, History, Community Center
1:00 pm Lunch
Afternoon Visit Breakout Site, the Last Hole
6:00 pm Supper Sponsered by TR & Kay Hughs
9:00 pm Blessing of Runners & Eagle Staff
10:30 pm Runners Breakout Depart Crawford, Ne. Hwy 71
Late night Runners return and spend night at barracks
Thurs, Jan 10
7:00 am Runners depart
Eve. Reach Hot Springs, SD stay the night
Best Western Inn (605)745-7378
6:00pm Dinner sponsored by: Dull Knife, Young Man Families
and Oglala Sioux Tribe
Fri., Jan 11
7:00am Depart Hot Springs Hwy 385 to Pringle,
12:00 pm Lunch at Crazy Horse Monument, Custer Hwy 385 cont’d
to Deadwood, SD, stop for night
6:00 pm supper hosted by: Mailyn Pourier & Famil,
Rapid City Community
Spend night Rapid City Comfort Inn (605)348-2221
Sat., Jan 12
8:00 am runners depart Deadwood, SD hwy 85 to I-90
Secondary rd to St. Onge, hwy 34 to Belle Fourche
6:00 pm Supper Belle Fourche
Stronger runners into the evening Hwy 212 to Alzada, Mt.
Spend night at Bell Fourche America Inn (605)892-0900
Sun, Jan 13
8:00 am Runners depart from Alzada, hwy 212 to Broudus,
7:00 pm reach reservation line Ashland, MT
Families meet runners, meal provided by St. Labre
Participants go home with Families
Mon., Jan 14
8:00 am Runners depart Ashland, Lame Deer, to Busby, MT
2:00 pm Runners reach gravesite in Busby
Dinner, Honoring & Round Dance to follow
Alien Rowland Gym, Lame Deer.
