“We are still here” Indigenous Peoples Day 2023

RAPID CITY—“We Are Still Here,” “Landback” and “Free Leonard Peltier.” These were some of the sayings on signs and banners that could be seen at this year’s NDN Collective’s inaugural Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on October 9 in downtown Rapid City.

This year’s event started with a march from Memorial Park to Main Street Square to the sounds of the Blackstone Singers drum group. The celebration was held from 2-6 p.m. where participants could enjoy entertainment on the main stage, vendors and food trucks. Musicians this year included Mic Jordan, Yung Kitto, Nevada Brave, Mato Wayuhi and the Bearhead Sisters.

“NDN Collective is a world-wide company that is headquartered in Rapid City,” said Nick Tilsen, NDN Collective President & CEO. “We wanted this to be like a capstone celebration for Rapid City and we just signed a contract with Main Street Square to have this space for the next three years.”

In an interview with Devan Markham of Newsnation Tilson said, “When we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day in place of Columbus Day, it shows a victory for Indigenous people. It represents how we won’t be erased, how we still stand in our power, no matter what they did to try to kill us off and steal our land.”

According to their website: NDN Collective is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to building Indigenous power. Through organizing, activism, philanthropy, grantmaking, capacity-building and narrative change, we are creating sustainable solutions on Indigenous terms.

Along with the speakers and musicians, participants at this year’s event were invited to a tipi demonstration held on Main Street next to the children’s bounce house and slide. The demonstration showed how a tipi was put together and set up with explanations on what each step meant to the Lakota people. After the tipi was erected, spectators were invited to help with painting the newly constructed lodge.

Around Main Street Square, near the food trucks, booths were set up for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous businesses to share information with attendees. Youth & Family Services and the Clean Water Project were among those informational booths.     

In addition to the many musicians that were on the stage, guest speakers brought awareness to upcoming and ongoing projects that are being partnered with NDN Collective.

 

“Currently, we have no place to have our funerals or wakes here in Rapid City,” said Cante Heart, director of the He Sapa Otipi Community Center of the Black Hills. “We have to rely on other places but were going to change all that that. With the help of our community and NDN Collective we will work together towards making a community center here on the north side of Rapid City.”

The He Sapa Otipi is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization actively working towards bringing an Indigenous hosted community center to Rapid City. Their mission: “build self-determination, hope and healing of mind, body and spirit by reclaiming Indigenous traditions and values.” For more information, please visit www.hesapaotipi.org.

The Oceti Sakowin Community Academy students sang a Lakota prayer song that started the festivities and director Mary Bowman spoke about the future of the academy.

“Each year we are adding a grade,” Bowman said. “This year is kindergarten, next year will be kindergarten and first grade and so on until we have all the grades at the academy.”

According to their website: The Oceti Sakowin Community Academy offers students in the Rapid City area an inclusive and diverse education that is driven by rigorous academics grounded in the language, culture, thought and philosophy of the Oceti Sakowin. As a result of Oceti Sakowin Community Academy, the students will develop a deep sense of belonging and increase their levels of engagement and motivation, leading to improved academic outcomes, holistic wellness, strong cultural identities and confidence and success in post-high school pathways. To learn more, please visit ocetisakowinacademy.org.

NDN Collective is currently organizing a campaign around the freedom of Leonard Peltier. They also have a new development on the corner of Haines Ave and Country Road in Rapid City that just broke ground. Next year, that location will be the new home of the Oceti Sakowin Community Academy. For more information on NDN Collective, please visit ndncollecitve.org.

(Contact Estella Claymore at estella.claymore@gmail.com)

The post “We are still here” Indigenous Peoples Day 2023 first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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