The Black Hills Unity Concert initiates its second year for restorative justice

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The Black Hills Unity Concert brings together musicians, artists, activists and concerned citizens in efforts to raise awareness over the Black Hills Initiative.

Black Hills Unity Concert / YouTube

The second Black Hills Unity Concert begins tomorrow, Aug. 28. The event brings together Native American tribes and leaders, musicians, artists, activists and concerned citizens who support efforts for the Black Hills Initiative, a movement aimed at restoring the Black Hills of South Dakota to the Native stewards of the land, the Great Sioux Nation.

Black Hills Unity Concert / Promotional Poster

Last year, the free concert brought thousands of people from all over the world in efforts to raise awareness and increase support for the cause. Unity Concert organizers and participants come together again this year urging the United States government to keep its word. “Honor the treaties,” stresses a note onthe event’s Facebook page.

As reported by EcoWatch, Aug. 26, this year’s concert features almost all Native American performers, activists from the Climate Change and Black Lives Matter movements and many others. “The Unity Concert is becoming a gathering place for the intersection of various movements that are addressing society’s woes and failures, especially in the area of restorative justice and with a focus on the return of the Black Hills,” says Peter Yarrow on EcoWatch.

The Unity Concert is headed by lead organizer Lyla June Johnston, a young poet and activist who founded The Taos Peace and Reconciliation Council, a non-profit organization that works to heal inter-generational trauma and ethnic division in northern New Mexico.

This year’s performers include Bethany & Rufus, Cody Blackbird, Nahko Bear,Peter Yarrow, Supaman, The Jeremy Goodfeather Band and Ulali. The event will also host community prayer, workshops and talks educating event attendees about Native American arts, language, culture, and environmental and restorative justice.

The Black Hills Unity Concert goes through Sunday, Aug. 30. The concert is free and open to the public and takes place at the Elk Creek Resort. There is plenty of room for camping (free tent camping is available in certain areas) and load in begins at noon, Aug. 28. For more information about the the Unity Concert of the Black Hills, visit their website or follow the event on Twitter and Facebook.

*originally published at the now defunct Examiner.com