Native Americans ’ Day at Crazy Horse Memorial ®
Pamyua – Inuit , soul musical group who will be hosting interactive performances at the Memorial .
Native Americans ’ Day , always celebrated South Dakota on the second Monday of October , is upon us again and Crazy Horse Memorial ® has another great lineup planned . This year ’ s celebrations will be held from 10-5 on October 9 , 2023 .
As 1990 was declared a “ Year of Reconciliation ” in South Dakota and the Legislature declared Native Americans ’ Day an official state holiday , Gov . George S . Mickelson called for the first celebration of the new holiday to be held at Crazy Horse Memorial ®. Many of the celebratory events held on this day at the Memorial still take the same shape that they did so many years ago , and these events hold a special place in the hearts of many Black Hills residents .
This year ’ s keynote speaker for the Native Americans ’ Day Program is Jacob Weasel , M . D ( Cheyenne River Lakota ), from Rapid City , South Dakota , who recently summited Mount Everest on his quest to summit many of the world ’ s highest peaks .
This year ’ s Program will also host the presentation of the 30th annual Crazy Horse Memorial ® Educator of the Year award to an educator who has made significant contributions to Native American education within the last year . The award provides a $ 1,000 grant to be provided to an organization the educator chooses .
The 2022 Crazy Horse Memorial ® Educator of the Year was awarded Dr . Joseph Marshall III who decided to give the $ 1,000 grant to Lakota Youth Development , Inc . Unfortunately , Dr . Marshall was not able to join in person on Native Americans ’ Day , but his statement , which was read by Marla Bull Bear , Executive Director of Lakota Youth Development , read in part “ I am humbled and honored to receive the educator of the year award , especially from an organization like Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation . For all Indigenous peoples , especially we Lakota and Dakota , the preservation of our history and culture is immeasurably critical and essential to the future of our Nations , especially our children . Any individual or organization that preserves and teaches our history and culture in any form deserves our support .”
The Memorial will also host Pamyua , an Inuit-soul musical group that blends their culture with influence from around the world . Pamyua will be performing short and interactive sets throughout the afternoon .
In addition , local Native American artists will be teaching free crafts in the Museum all afternoon . The workshops being hosted will include items like dreamcatchers and beaded bracelets .
Finally , Native Americans ’ Day at Crazy Horse Memorial ® means free Tatanka Stew provided by Korczak ’ s Heritage , Inc ., Laughing Water Restaurant ® and Custer State Park .
The Native Americans ’ Day Program begins at 10:00am , crafts begin and Tatanka Stew is served at 11:00am , and Pamyua will host a multiple sessions throughout the early afternoon .
All the day ’ s events are included with admission to the Memorial . For more information call Crazy Horse Memorial ® at 605- 673-4681 or visit www . crazyhorse . org .
We are excited to celebrate with you and we hope you will join us once again for Native Americans ’ Day at Crazy Horse Memorial ®!
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