Over 250 attend gathering of our Lakota elders in downtown Rapid City

RAPID CITY – More than two hundred and fifty elders attended Ending the Silence Rapid City’s fourth annual “Gathering of Our Lakota Elders” last weekend inside the historic Alex Johnson Hotel. The gathering focused on exploring the true, untold story of Rapid City and its relationship with Native people in recognition of the community’s 150th Anniversary.

Special guest appearances and live performances featured some of the most respected names in Indian Country, including the legendary Oglala Lakota singer songwriter Will Peters, a two-time NAMMY Award winner. International performing artist Sequoia Crosswhite, a Cheyenne River tribal member, was honored for his dedication to sharing the Lakota way of life and speaking openly about his lived experiences with audiences around the world. His recognition followed a powerful flute and acoustic guitar performance that moved the entire room.

The French Family Band, one of the most prominent country music groups in New Zealand and Australia, made a surprise visit and performed familiar favorites acoustically for the packed ballroom. Oglala Lakota comedian Tyler Corbine filled the space with contagious laughter as he shared stories of his life as a Native person living in Rapid City.

Ending the Silence Rapid City and the Lakota Elders honored Chance Miner, an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, with a star quilt and giveaway. Miner has volunteered more than five thousand hours of community service over the past several years to support Rapid City’s Native youth, elders, and families. His work includes chaperoning, organizing, and coordinating numerous events such as the Summer Youth Program, all Elderly Gatherings, citywide Halloween carnivals, and ongoing outreach and community awareness efforts.

“It is extremely important not to rewrite our history as Lakota people over the past two hundred years for the sake of ‘protecting’ our future generations from ever experiencing the hardships our elders have endured,” said Brandon Ferguson, Executive Director of Ending the Silence Rapid City. “We must acknowledge the true, untold history of our people — both the good and the bad — and our relationship with Rapid City over the past 150 years.”

Ferguson highlighted major accomplishments of Lakota tribal members in the community, including six term Rapid City Mayor Arthur LaCroix, who once lost a lung to cancer. LaCroix, a Santee Sioux tribal member, was elected following the destruction of the Oshkosh Indian Camp during the Rapid City Flood of 1972, which displaced hundreds of Native families and led to the development of Sioux Addition. LaCroix Hall inside The Monument is named in his honor, recognizing his legacy of rebuilding Rapid City and earning the title “Star of the West.”

“Art LaCroix would win by a landslide each time he ran, always taking nearly 80 percent of the vote,” Ferguson said. “It is difficult to believe that during the 1970s and 1980s — a period our younger generations are told was one of the most racist eras in Rapid City history — nearly four out of five Rapid Citians, almost all white community members, elected a tribal member to lead the police department and daily city affairs. Not just once, but for twelve consecutive years. We need to empower our youth and remind them that the community they live in is not completely racist, because those voters who supported LaCroix are still alive and remember him vividly.”

The Gathering of Our Lakota Elders also featured an Easter Brunch provided by Pete Lien & Sons, Saint Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, Indians, Simon Construction,

Ace Steel & Recycling, Roberta Harmon, Prairie Edge, Gold Diggers Factory, OST Parks and Recreation Authority, and the Keystone Project. The meal was prepared by the award-winning kitchen staff of the Hotel Alex Johnson, with more than twenty tribal members volunteering to serve.

Pioneer Bank & Trust and Audra’s Bridal arranged a special visit from the Easter Bunny, who took photos and handed out gifts to the elders. Nearly $30,000 in gifts were distributed during the Native American Heritage Association giveaway, Mega Prize Bingo, and Hot Seat Drawings. Winners received Deadwood prize packages and concert tickets from Deadwood Mountain Grand, The Monument, Cadillac Jack’s Gaming Resort, the Florida Seminole Tribe, NAJA Shriners, Hard Rock Casino and Resorts’ Rocksino, the Historic Homestake Opera House, and the Angostura Yacht Club.

The Oglala Sioux Tribe, OST Treasurer’s Office, Big Bat’s, Karl’s Appliances, Moyle Petroleum, Sear, Common Cents, Eagles Club, Canyon Lake Activity Center, Cornerstone Thrift Store, Plato’s, Bass Pro Shop, Cabela’s, Olive Garden, Chili’s, Applebee’s, The Mustard Seed, Runnings, Colonial House, Sickie’s, Tractor Supply, Shipwreck’s, Ace Hardware, Youth and Family Services, and more than one hundred additional businesses, community leaders, organizations, and volunteers united to provide gifts for the Mega Prize Bingo, Hot Seat Drawings, and the honoring.

Ending the Silence Rapid City extends its gratitude to Papa Murphy’s, Roosevelt Swim Center, Roosevelt Skating Rink, Reptile Gardens, Fort Hays Chuckwagon, Buffalo Coaster, Panchero’s, Millstone Restaurant, Rapid City Concert Association, South Dakota Arts Council, and Native Sun News for their continued support in making the event a tremendous success.

For a full list of sponsors, along with videos and photos from the gathering, visit Ending the Silence Rapid City’s Facebook page at Ending the Silence RC.

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