Tradition and triumph for Native American graduates

RAPID CITY – After experiencing fluctuating temperatures in early spring, the weather settled into a calm and sunny evening for the relatives and soon-to-be graduates attending the Senior Honoring Ceremony. This event was hosted by the Rapid City Area School (RCAS) Office of Indian Education at Stevens High School on May 21, 2025. The ceremony recognized over 130 graduates from the class of 2025. The theme of this year’s ceremony was a Lakota virtue – Yuonihan – to honor.

Graduation from high school is an important milestone in the education journey of Native American students. The annual feathering ceremony recognizes the achievements of Native American seniors across the district and honors their perseverance, dedication and accomplishments. This also reflects the honor the graduate brings to their family, community and Tribal Nation. The eagle feather is given in honor of each achievement as an individual grows and develops throughout their lifetime. This recognition also comes with responsibilities of self-respect, being a role model, caring for the young, elders and the less fortunate.

Native students from Central High School, Stevens High School, Rapid City Alternative Academy, RC Christian, Spearfish, Sturgis, Hot Springs and Homeschool gathered with their relatives to share this achievement.

“For area Native American tribes, the presentation of an eagle feather to an individual for their achievement, good deed, or service to the community is the highest form of honor and a cherished tradition,” RCAS Title VI Manager Ira Taken Alive told the Rapid City Post. “To witness a group of graduating seniors receive eagle feathers is both moving and deeply meaningful.”

The evening featured a meal, words of encouragement, the blessing of the feather/plumes and finally the tying of the plumes and feathers.

Doors opened at 4p.m. and the traditional evening meal began serving at 4:30. Malissa’s Frybread, which has made frybread and wojapi the last 2 years for the RCAS Senior Honoring Ceremony, was asked this year to cater the full meal – buffalo stew, wojapi, and frybread for 900 people.

Family and friends began to fill the Stevens High School gym. Master of Ceremonies Whitney Rencountre entertained as people finished the meal and found a seat. Students and their sponsors were preparing in anticipation of Grand Entry. Rencountre initiated Grand Entry which was led by Dino Holy Eagle and the Central High JROTC and Native American Veterans Association Post #1 carrying flags and staffs.

Dr. Gerald Yellowhawk delivered the invocation in Lakota. Harriet Brings gave most of her advice in Lakota as well but gave her most important advice in English, telling graduates to do something. “Don’t just go home and sit on the couch. Get a job. Help out. Don’t let your mom tell you to clean your room.” “Words of Encouragement” were delivered by Jordan Lawrence (Standing Rock) a 2017 graduate of Stevens High School.

“We are grateful to each of you for joining us this evening to celebrate and honor these young men and women who have earned the right to adorn the eagle plume and the eagle feather,” said Taken Alive. “For us, Oceti Sakowin and countless American Indian tribes across this land, the greatest honor we can bestow on each other is an eagle feather or an eagle plume. They are earned for good deeds, receiving a native name and for achievements such as graduating from high school. Among our Native American seniors from Rapid City Alternative Academy, Central High School and Stevens High School are seniors from Hot Springs, Rapid City Christian, Spearfish, Sturgis Brown and St. Thomas More High school.”

Taken Alive noted how the program had grown tremendously since the first ceremony was held in 1989. “The number of graduates is fast outgrowing the Central and Stevens High School gyms. While the ceremony is hosted by the Title VI Office of Indian Education there are many individuals in Rapid City Area Schools departments who have contributed tremendously to the educational experience of our graduates. Not only for the ceremony tonight but throughout the school year as well as throughout their educational journey.” Taken Alive asked for a round of applause for the dedicated teachers who shared the journey of the students, many from kindergarten to graduation.

“These young people gathered here this evening are scholars,” said Taken Alive. “Some are fifth generation high school graduates. A few are first generation high school graduates. Among these graduates are athletes of the grid- Stuiron, track and field, the golf course and the basketball court, including the 2025 South Dakota Miss Basketball.” Taken Alive was referencing Stevens High School senior Taaliya Porter to which there was a round of applause. “Also among the graduates are medalists in journalism, Lakota language, visual arts, and debate.”

It has become tradition also that each graduate receive the book “Keep Going: The Art of Perseverance” by award-winning Sicangu Oglala Lakota author and historian Dr. Joseph Marshall III. “This book is extra special this year,” said Taken Alive “because we join the Marshall family in mourning his passing last month. Mr. Marshall wasn’t just any fan of Rapid City area students. He was a gigantic fan. He visited the Rapid City area schools over the years sharing his knowledge of Lakota culture and Lakota language and how to be a good relative.”

Rencountre then addressed the graduates and their sponsors. “The graduates all here have selected someone important in their lives who are helping during the ceremony. Who are helping to tie the plume or the feather. It’s a beautiful thing to see your loved ones that are here to support you, who love you, care about you and are vested in seeing you succeed.”

Delaney Apple gave a blessing as Rencountre then advised the sponsors to get ready to tie on the feather and plumes. “With that we ask the singers to sing the feather tying song.”

Graduates wrapped themselves in their star quilts as their sponsors tied the plume/feather. The star quilt is the epitome of gift-giving by the Oceti. To give a star quilt is to show the utmost respect, honor and admiration to a person. The star quilt is one of the most valued gifts and are draped over the shoulders of the recipient to symbolize protection on their journey through life.

“I feel great,” said Ariana Esparza (Oglala Sioux Tribe) now a graduate of the Rapid City Alternative Academy “I’m actually the first in my family to get a diploma from high school” she told Native Sun News Today as her family looked on with great pride.

“I’m really excited,” said Tiffany Tuttle who came with her family to celebrate their daughters graduation. “It’s such a proud experience. I have so much family, so we come to graduations often. It’s all the community coming together and celebrating these kids. It’s beautiful. I’m grateful that we can have these ceremonies. It’s an important reminder to the kids of where they come from. It’s not where you have to stay. It’s important to acknowledge your culture and family, but this is the time for you to move on.”

(Contact Marnie Cook at cookm8715@gmail.com)

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