"My goal," said Jim, "is to give dignity back to the mountain. This concept is appealing to Indian and non-Indian alike."

In addition to managing a park and a worship site, Jim also manages the park’s buffalo herd. It is an understatement to say that Jim needs to be a well-rounded individual.

Growing up on the Lower Brule Reservation, Jim learned a lot when living with his grandmother. "She was always patient with me, never overbearing or doing my thinking for me," said Jim. "She taught me common sense." This common sense has played a key role in his management style since becoming the park manager at Bear Butte State Park in December 2000.

Jim sees the biggest part of his job and that of his seven seasonal employees as having positive interaction with the public. "It doesn’t matter what walk of life they come from," says Jim, "most people come here to learn, some come here on a pilgrimage to pray and others come to conquer the climb to the top of the mountain." Each individual comes to the site for personal reasons and Jim tries to make each of their experiences a positive one.

As a result of being sensitive to issues, the Bear Butte Forum was established in 1997. The Forum is an opportunity for everyone involved to agree upon the management of this sacred site that is also a state park. American Indian spiritual practitioners, elected tribal officials and the general public are invited each year to discuss various topics with the park staff. Typically, tribes from Montana south to Oklahoma including the tribes in South Dakota are represented.

As a result of ideas presented at the Forum, many changes have been made to the site over the years. For example, the upper parking lot was removed because it did not allow for privacy for American Indian religious ceremonies. Other rules affecting the cultural and spiritual use of Bear Butte have also been changed including not allowing alcohol, hunting, pets or the leaving of human ashes on the mountain.

Jim and his supervisor, Ken Rost, who co-chair the Forum, have been honored by the presentation from spiritual leaders of Pendelton blankets by the spiritual Northern Cheyenne Tribe.

The education center at the 1,945-acre Bear Butte State Park is very busy. When asked about the center, Jim said, "This isn’t just a visitor center, this really is an education center where people come to be enlightened. By the questions they ask I know that they care about the integrity of the mountain. They respect the American Indian tribes and don’t want to be offensive in what they do at the mountain."

The two-story education center has exhibits about the history of the land and the people who have been coming to the mountain for centuries. The bookstore in the center sells history books that have been reviewed for accuracy. American Indian elders are asked to help review books when questions arise.

"We go to great length," said Jim, "to provide the public with correct information. We get input from the tribes to make certain that what we share is correct and appropriate."

Part of the public education takes place on the prairie where the buffalo roam. "The buffalo herd is fascinating to many park visitors. It is truly a wild animal. People ask if we are worried about them running away, but they are content here with good prairie pasture, plenty of water and space to roam," said Jim. "Buffalo once provided a lot to the tribes – meat, clothing, lodging, heat, cooking utensils, sinew for sewing and even a voice in dances. Buffalo are held in great esteem by the tribes. They would be greatly missed if they were gone."

A common question asked of the staff concerns how the mountain was formed. Bear Butte rises 1,253 feet above the surrounding plain as a result of volcanic action. The mountain is made of magma that never reached the surface to be an erupting volcano. Later, erosion stripped the outside layers of materials away, exposing the cooled magma. The result is a form that now resembles a sleeping bear with its head pointing to the northeast.

Jim’s best day on the job is when everybody involved in a decision concerning Bear Butte agrees. Sometimes it is challenging for Jim to be the mediator, hearing all sides of the issues. This can be a difficult role to play for one who doesn’t like the limelight. Jim says, "I just try to be open to all people and to do what I say I will do."

And "do" he does! Since coming to the park, Jim has been part of many changes. He has worked hard to develop relationships with tribes by being sensitive to their desires, asking their opinions and trying to implement their ideas. His hope is that tribes do not feel intimidated to come to the park.

"The changes in the rules and the removal of the upper parking lot have done much to help instill a collaborative spirit between the tribes and the state park system," said Jim. "We continue to make positive changes."

Volunteerism at the park also continues to change and grow. Adults and young people from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the Standing Rock Reservation help do the difficult labor involved with trail maintenance. Other groups such as Black Hills Lutheran Social Services, Ellsworth Air Force Base and individuals also help with projects. A volunteer campground host can usually be found answering park visitors’ questions and assisting with the maintenance of the campgrounds.

Jim sums up his work saying, "A lot of people have faith in me to get the job done and I will keep trying to do my best while focusing on the big picture." And it is a "big" picture with managing a huge area of land, an education center, two campgrounds, a buffalo herd, a trail two miles long and thousands of diverse visitors each year. For Jim, the ultimate goal with every one of his responsibilities is to give dignity back to the mountain.

-30-