The Fort Randall Casino organized a Bigfoot Conference this past June 7th and 8th. The goal of this conference was to spread awareness, educate people on the purpose of this type of conference, to find definitive proof and to help write a law to protect the Bigfoot species.

Chris Barrera of the group, Bigfoot South Dakota, was one of the presenters at the two-day conference. When asked if there had been sightings of Bigfoot in the Fort Randall, Wagner and Lake Andes areas, Chris said that there had been sightings throughout history. As with any area, people seem to be reluctant to report any Bigfoot sightings they have. With the Bigfoot South Dakota and Rez Sasquatch research teams both at the conference, they were able to gather several stories from throughout the years from locals. The team had only wished to have more time in order to potentially gather more encounters and statements. Habitats within South Dakota with the most Bigfoot activity are near rivers and heavily forested areas. Although Bigfoot is believed to be nocturnal, they have been sighted in the daylight.

One very interesting part of this conference was that there was a night outing held on the night of June 7th. Sevenmile Creek in Whiteswan Township was the site of the night outing. This particular location was chosen as it was a safe area for those in attendance as well as it has an opening in the creek line (northern end) where one can hear the whole valley’s animal activity. There were around 20 people that participated in the night outing, ranging in age from five years old to older adults. Normally when the research teams do night operations, they are usually out until morning, but as this was done as part of the conference the outing only lasted until around 2 a.m. It definitely takes a lot of patience and dedication during these night outings. During the outing there were coyotes howling, but not many other animal sounds were heard until the team was packing up for the night after most of the participants had left. As they were packing up, six of the team members all heard a familiar howl that is associated with Bigfoot.

When asked if he had ever seen or encountered Bigfoot, Chris said that he had had several close encounters with the same screams and hollers that he heard the night of the conference outing. He had been in law enforcement at the time of these encounters and had also answered several calls to people’s residences that had had Bigfoot encounters. Details of Chris’ encounters can be heard by listening to the blog, Sasquatch Chronicles episode 145 or the Edge of the Headlights podcast on Spotify.

There is not a specific name in the Lakota language for Bigfoot. Though mentioned throughout the history that has been passed down in Lakota stories, there is a reference to “Hsma” meaning hairy man as Chris remembers it. There were also people that knew of a tribe of people called the “Ciy’e Tanka” meaning “Elder Brother or big brother”.

Presenters at the conference included Chris Barrera and Steve Brings Plenty from Bigfoot South Dakota; Barry Webster of Rez Sasquatch Research team of Macy, NE; tribal elder, Faith Spotted Eagle; and tribal elder, David Arrow Sr. In order to spread awareness, local presenters were chosen for the conference. Presentations included the topics of documented historical Bigfoot encounters in South Dakota and current investigations that both the Bigfoot South Dakota and Rez Sasquatch teams have been investigating since they began.

Chris began his Bigfoot research efforts after retiring from law enforcement. He decided instead of pursuing humans through law enforcement, he would put his criminal investigation background to good use in investigating Bigfoot. The way that Chris conducts Bigfoot research includes trying to first find some type of history of the location; talking to or finding reports or witnesses to the sightings; conducting a forensic scene type of search to gather evidence; and taking pictures, plaster casts, etc. Other members of the South Dakota Bigfoot group have similar training in law enforcement while others learn as they go when they go on investigative research calls.

Chris has his own theory about why Bigfoot has been so elusive with only brief sightings and limited proof. When asked about his particular theory, Chris said the next time out in the woods to sit down and quietly listen to the surrounding environment for at least 15 minutes. One will hear and see different animals and animal sounds. Bigfoot lives in that environment 24/7. With that in mind, Bigfoot would know every noise, every sound, every animal, every smell and would definitely know when a human is around. Chris believes that Bigfoot uses the environment to hide and avoid all human contact. History has taught the world that Bigfoot does exist and recent sightings prove that there is something out there according to Chris.

Chris has been a part of the Bigfoot world since 2007. He was born on the Rosebud Reservation and currently resides in Blackhawk, SD. Other members of South Dakota Bigfoot team reside near Rosebud, Custer and Pine Ridge. There will hopefully be a second Bigfoot Conference in 2025. When asked what attendees could expect from the second conference, Chris said definitely another night outing, presentations on updated investigations and most importantly gather more stories from local people. For more information about possible upcoming events follow Bigfoot South Dakota’s Facebook page.