On Saturday February 27th, The Visionary Edge will present a screening of Wiping the Tears of Seven Generations, the award-winning documentary of The Bigfoot Memorial Ride celebrating the resurgence of Lakota Sioux culture and spirituality.
In December 1990, 300 Lakota Sioux horseback riders rode 250 miles, in two weeks, through bitter, below-zero winter weather, to commemorate the lives lost at the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890.
This celebrated documentary relates the story of how the Lakota Nation mourned the loss of their loved ones for 100 years—seven generations of the Lakota. They also mourned the loss of some of their people’s sacred knowledge, which died with the elders at Wounded Knee. But in 1990, inspired by dreams and visions of unity and spiritual awakening, a group of Lakota decided to bring their people out of mourning through a traditional Lakota ceremony called "Washigila," or "Wiping The Tears." The Bigfoot Memorial Ride was that ceremony.
Four times each December beginning in 1986 and continuing to 1990, as many as 300 Native American riders at a time traveled by horseback 250 miles along pathways through South Dakota which are sanctified by the blood of those who died at the place Natives call "Greasy Grass," and most others know as Wounded Knee. These memorial rides, with one participant for each of those massacred in December of 1890, were often undertaken in great hardship and were intended as a sacrifice which would clear the way for a recovery of Lakota ways, traditions, and sacred lands. In this documentary, in addition to footage of the ride and its riders, young Lakota express their hopes for the future, while older tribe members recall the painful and difficult times they all survived in order to reach this point.
Babysitting will be provided for $5 per child for the evening with a 24 hour advance reservation. Call 650-207-3440.
Saturday, February 27th. Doors will open at 7:00pm, event begins at 7:30. Community United Methodist Church, 777 Miramontes Street (at Johnston), HMB. Suggested donation $10 advance, $15 door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Call 650-207-3440 for information and reservations.