South Dakota Board of Geographic Names and Attorney General Jackley Caution of a Group Seeking Funds to Rename Harney Peak
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Board of Geographic Names and Attorney General Marty Jackley are notifying South Dakota consumers about an organization that is asking for donations and holding itself out as the “Official and Authorized” site for the proposed renaming of Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak. This organization has no affiliation with the government in the State of South Dakota.
According to their website, Black Elk Development of Porcupine has claimed to be the “Only Official and Authorized” website for the renaming of Harney Peak, a geographic feature in Pennington County. This organization is not affiliated with the South Dakota Board of Geographic Names or the Board’s process regarding the replacement of offensive names for geographic features.
Black Elk Development’s Articles of Incorporation are not current with the South Dakota Secretary of State’s Office. It is also not listed with the Internal Revenue Service as an Exempt Organization eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions.
The Board’s public involvement process is open to the public at no cost. There are no filing costs associated with the Board’s activities and the purpose of solicited funds by the organization is not known.
The South Dakota Board on Geographic Names was created by the 2009 Legislature to recommend replacements for offensive names for geographic features and to process requests from the public regarding names for geographic features. In some cases, this may be proposing a name for a currently unnamed feature or requesting renaming for a geographic feature. Those wishing to make public comment are encouraged to do so. Additional information about the Board and features under consideration can be found at http://www.sdbgn.sd.gov/.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division asks that consumers research all charities before giving. Knowing and understanding how much of your donation dollars will go to the actual cause is necessary in the decision making process. Before you give, visit such sites as www.charitynavigator.org or www.guidestar.org, to verify the legitimacy of the nonprofit organization as well as its nonprofit status.
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Black Elk Peak would seem more appropriate.
Maybe so, but I don’t think AG Jackley is objecting to the name change. They’re just pointing out that this organization supposedly advocating for a name change doesn’t seem to be legit, so be careful where you donate.
No it doesn’t.
The peak was named by Lieutenant Governer K. Warren in honor of General William S. Harney, who was commander of the military in the Black Hills area in the late 1870’s.
It’s an appropriate honor, and was named for him long before Black Elk’s vision was popularized in a 1932 book.
We don’t need to rename everything based on contemporary political correctness.
I agree to leave the name as is. Even if it is changed, it will be referred to as Harney Peak by most and nothing will change that.
i disagree. a name change should be considered anywhere a conflict exists. if harney is found to be a cultural affront, that’s what the board is supposed to consider. and once its changed, the new name will become the name over time, so the fact that some might use the old name is irrelevant.
“Black” is racist.
So, toss it out.
Properly naming Black Elk Mountain and Steve Hickey’s call for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission are only the beginning … In fact, “Not until every native home has a granite countertop made from the demolished faces of the stolen Mt. Rushmore will justice begin to be served.” and FYI, “politically correct” is a term invented by bigots to shield the scorn of thinking and respectful people.
are you in Baltimore taking a break from burning buildings and rioting?
“invented by bigots to shield the scorn of thinking and respectful people”
So says the lily-white child of privilege whose sexist microaggressions against women were posted on this blog.
Once again, I’m sure NAs have plenty of powerful voices–they don’t need a rich white guy to advocate for them .
” In fact, “Not until every native home has a granite countertop made from the demolished faces of the stolen Mt. Rushmore will justice begin to be served.”
Since this is so important to Porter, why don’t you give the first $5000 so that the first NA family can afford a granite countertop!
Wha’? Just another privileged whitey spouting off to assauge his white guilt, but no money?
typical.
Oh, barf.
Thank you for your participation and comment. Please continue to follow Mr. Lansing on blogs across West River and the Sioux Empire. 4-29-2015
“Please continue to follow Mr. Lansing on blogs across West River and the Sioux Empire. 4-29-2015”
Don’t tell people what to do …. it’s none of your business what anyone but yourself does.
Good advice, right?
“Steve Hickey’s call for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission”
What’s stopping the Rev from his T&R commission? Money? Does he expect someone else to fund it?
Besides, Hickey doesn’t need to have a Truth Commission–from what he has written, he claims to have the Truth. He claims to know God’s perspective, and he claims to know if Christ is in others. Who needs a Truth COMMISSION when we have Hickey to tell us all what the Truth is???
i’m more into artificial stone alternatives and laminates. i like mount rushmore where it’s at.
btw, the actual origin of the term political correctness came as a response to the social/cultural bullying of u-s socialists and their alinsky strategies aimed at stifling free thought and expression. but think what you will p.l.
Don’t tell people what to do …. it’s none of your business what anyone but yourself does.
DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO BY TELLING ME THAT IT’s NONE OF MY BUSINESS..
YHTLW (you have the last word)
*yawn*
The process to raise objection to a name and suggest a new name is pretty defined and requires no official standing. If I don’t like the name of a creek, I can submit my objection. No need to have an official group or to fundraise.
For this reason, the group smacks of trying to get financial reward by appearing to advocate something for which money is required when in fact no money is required. It appears to be similar to the scams to “help” students get financial aid/student loans.