“We can’t turn back the clock. We can only turn to the future together. What we can do as leaders, both Native American and white, is teach others that we can change attitudes.”
These were the words of South Dakota Governor George S. Mickelson at the very first Native Americans’ Day, which was hosted by Crazy Horse Memorial, Oct. 8, 1990. The event was attended by more than 1,200 people and was prompted by two Lakota educators — Bill Kills Straight and Tim Giago — and echoed the cross-cultural understanding found in an unlikely friendship that developed between a Lakota Chieftain, Henry Standing Bear and a Polish-American sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski.
Monday Oct. 13, Native Americans’ Day will be celebrated at Crazy Horse Memorial with a program starting at 9 a.m. honoring the Native American culture and history, Indian dancing, craft activities and Native American music and dance. There will be a special blast (weather permitting) at 11 a.m. after the program and buffalo stew will be served before a special musical program featuring the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra at 2 p.m.
There will be many activities including making corn husk dolls, a bead table and Native American storytelling by Lula Red Cloud. The Crazy Horse Artist in Residence, Mike Marshall, will demonstrate traditional games. The public is invited to attend and enjoy this special observance of Native Americans’ Day at Crazy Horse Memorial.