The Land Project

The Land Project to “Reclaim” Land:
A sacred place for all nations to unite in one prayer


This is my vision. Bringing the Sacred Back to sanctify the land for all people to return there to pray. We have to retrieve a piece of the Black Hills ...

- Chief Black Spotted Horse, Izzy Zephier

According to Lakota oral history, the Creation story begins in the Black Hills; the Lakota name is "The Heart of Everything That Is." The Creator put all of the Sacred into "The Heart of Everything That Is." And then he gave the responsibility to the Lakotas to take care of it for Him. This sacred place belongs to Him, not the people.
Now, having walked down this road for 69 years, I have come to understand the importance of "The Heart of Everything That Is." We have to retrieve a piece of the Black Hills and build a place for ceremony. It will be the place for many spiritual leaders to gather and begin to teach the world. The world is in great turmoil and spiritual loss. We are in the time of prophecy, and it is time to help them find their way back to the Creator. The spirit, the power, the love, the guidance, and most of all, the beautiful, sacred connection with all the ancestors who live in the Black Hills. This is where we go to find the answers and instruction about how we are to live this life. So, the very goal we are setting out to achieve is to have our own place to pray. A sacred place for all nations of the earth to unite in one prayer. And in the end, stand before the Creator in all truth and say,
"Wakan Tanka, [Great Spirit], we did our best!" This is my vision. Bringing the Sacred Back to sanctify the land for all people to return there to pray."
- Chief Black Spotted Horse, Izzy Zephier