Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMaria Michael, a Lakota elder from San Francisco, middle, embraces US Army veteran Tatiana McLee, right, during an emotional forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostWesley Clark Jr., middle, holds his calvary hat in prayer during an emotional forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostLeonard Crow Dog listens to Wesley Clark Jr. (not shown) during a forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline. Leonard Crow Dog formally forgave Wes Clark Jr., the son of retired U.S. Army general and former supreme commander at NATO, Wesley Clark Sr.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostWesley Clark Jr, middle and other veterans receive a blessing of sage during an emotional forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history.The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMaria Michael, a Lakota elder from San Francisco, middle, embraces US Army veteran Tatiana McLee, right, during an emotional forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostWesley Clark Jr., kneels in front of Leonard Crow Dog, right, during a forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline. Leonard Crow Dog formally forgave Wes Clark Jr., the son of retired U.S. Army general and former supreme commander at NATO, Wesley Clark Sr.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostLakota elder Leonard Crow Dog, right, receives a blessing of sage during an emotional forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostWesley Clark Jr., far right, and other veterans pray during an emotional forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostUS Army veteran Tatiana McLee, right, hugs a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe during an emotional forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
1 of 9
Maria Michael, a Lakota elder from San Francisco, middle, embraces US Army veteran Tatiana McLee, right, during an emotional forgiveness ceremony at the Four Prairie Knights Casino and Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on December 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Standing Rock casino, giving the veterans an opportunity to atone for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters' victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Expand
By Helen H. Richardson | hrichardson@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
FORT YATES, N.D. — Native Americans conducted a forgiveness ceremony with U.S. veterans at the Four Prairie Knights Casino & Resort on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation on Dec. 5, 2016 in Fort Yates, North Dakota. A group of veterans present asked for forgiveness from Tribal representatives for military actions conducted against Natives throughout history. The emotional ceremony was held in celebration of Standing Rock protesters’ victory Sunday in halting construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline.