The courts ultimately decided against Wyoming Sawmills Inc., citing that their claim of “injury” was not specifically economic since no future financial benefit was guaranteed. Similarly, the court noted that only 10% of the proposed logging areas were suitable for logging anyways. The case was appealed to the 10th Circuit Court, which reaffirmed the decision of the lower courts and affirmed the constitutionality of protecting Native American use of Medicine Wheel as a site of living sacred significance.
The U.S. Forest Service and pertinent Native American nations work together to maintain the Bighorn Medicine Wheel. The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) celebrates the 2011 protection of the entire mountain as the definitive victory for protecting the Medicine Wheel.1Association on American Indian Affairs, “Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain,” Association on American Indian Affairs, accessed July 27, 2020, https://www.indian-affairs.org/medicine-wheel.html#. The U.S. Forest Service also celebrates the collaboration between itself, state offices, federal councils, and Native American coalitions.2USDA Forest Service, “Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain National Historic Landmark,” Bighorn National Forest, accessed July 27, 2020, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/bighorn/home/?cid=fseprd521531. The U.S. Forest Service’s webpage on Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain provides information for non-Native visitor behavior:
The Medicine Wheel is an active Native American sacred site, so please be respectful during your visit. On-site interpreters may temporarily close visitation (usually 45 to 60 minutes) for private Native American ceremonies.
If a ceremony is taking place during your visit, please stay back from the participants and observe quietly.
Do not take photographs during a ceremony.
Do not touch the prayer offerings placed on the Medicine Wheel fence by traditional users.
Stay on established walking paths to protect fragile natural and archaeological resources.
Dogs must be leashed at all times and are not allowed on the path immediately around the Medicine Wheel. Please plan to clean up after your pet.
U.S. Forest Service3USDA Forest Service, “Medicine Wheel/Medicine Mountain National Historic Landmark,” Bighorn National Forest, accessed July 27, 2020, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/bighorn/home/?cid=fseprd521531.
This case has not seen further development since the redrawing of its boundaries and renaming to include Medicine Mountain in 2011.
