Native American Culture in South Dakota

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Bear Butte State Park, Black Elk Peak and Wind Cave National Park are also significant sites to tribes in the area. Lakota legend states that the first man and animals on earth emerged from Wind Cave.

The Mahpiya Luta (Red Cloud) Heritage Center, located on the Pine Ridge Reservation, is home to the annual Red Cloud Art Show. The art show is the largest and longest-running Native art exhibition of its kind – and one of only a few held in a Native American community. Hundreds of artists from tribal nations across North America have shared their work through the Red Cloud Art Show, in categories ranging from painting and photography to beadwork and quillwork.

Just outside Badlands National Park, the Oglala Lakota Living History Village provides visitors with a picture of Lakota life through the decades. Local Oglala guides share historical facts and modern-day cultural knowledge as they take groups through the various types of housing structures utilized by the Lakota people. You’ll see firsthand how the dwellings were maintained and the conditions in which the people lived.

The Sisseton Wahpeton Wacipi is the second-oldest powwow in the country, celebrating its 155th anniversary in July 2023. South Dakota is also home to the annual Black Hills Powwow, one of the premier American Indian cultural events in the United States, welcoming thousands of dancers every year.

Black Hills Powwow

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He Sapa Wacipi brings together Native American singers, dancers and drummers from all over the nation. The Black Hills Powwow also features a handgame tournament, parade, Lakota archery, art show, live music and more. All are welcome to come celebrate and learn more about why this event is so important to the Lakota culture.

Ready to experience South Dakota’s Native tourism offerings?
Visitors can book the National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas tour here: https://www.trafalgar.com/en-us/tours/national-parks-and-native-trails-of-the-dakotas

About The Great American West

The Great American West is the brand for the international marketing efforts of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Collectively, the group markets to both travel trade (tour operators, travel agents, etc.) and consumers through advertising and public relations efforts. Individually, each state office works with their industry partners to raise awareness of their states and the region as a whole through the promotion of products and travel destinations. The Great American West contracts with Rocky Mountain International to help coordinate their united efforts in eight international markets, including The United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Benelux and Nordics. https://greatamericanwest.co/