‘We are all better because of it’

RAPID CITY – For the past 45 years the Lakota Nation Invitational has grown to become one of the most prestigious sporting events in Indian Country and beyond.

Not only does the event headline basketball, golf, wrestling and cheerleading competitions but also hand games, business plan, poetry slam, Lakota language bowl, art show, knowledge bowl as well as chess and archery competitions. The event, scheduled for Dec. 13 through the 17 at the new Monument in Rapid City also includes a powwow and live entertainment.

With more than 48 teams competing, the tournament brings to the foothills of He Sapa thousands of students and spectators that pump more than $4 million dollars into the local economy.

But to make this stellar event happen, it takes collaboration behind the scenes between the LNI board and local business and civic communities.

To highlight those collaborative efforts, Prairie Edge hosted a meet-n-greet November 16 that brought together many business owners, city officials and LNI board members.

Dan Tribby, General Manager of Prairie Edge, who was MC of the meet-n-greet, encouraged everyone present to support LNI because, “We are all a bit better because of it.”

Prairie Edge’s Sioux Trading Post, located in the rear of the store, is the go to place for many Natives as they shop for beads, leather, cloth and other ornamental trinkets of nature for their powwow dance outfits. Getting the chance to shop at Prairie Edge during the tournament is something many Natives look forward to.

Tribby said there are many ways to support LNI, volunteering and hitting checkbooks. Tribby encouraged Rapid City citizens to not only support the LNI tournament financially but to participate in the process, “And that means going to the games.”

“One of the things we as Rapid City citizens can do, obviously, is to support it as far as fiscal help, don’t forget about the chance to participate in the end process. It used to be just about basketball, but now basketball is just part of what LNI is. It really is a magnificent event,” Tribby said.

He said last year organizers were able to utilize the new Monument facility, “I don’t think any of us realized just how wonderful and amazing the event could be just based in a new facility. Last year we got to play over in the new Monument and this year it’s going to be even better. It’s going to have the ability to keep growing if we jump on board.”

“What a gift to have something like this happen in the middle of December. For restaurants and hotels and motels. Let’s face it, retail is going to be fantastic because of all of the visitors that come here,” Tribby said.

Many Natives who come from the surrounding reservations for LNI do their Christmas shopping while in Rapid City attending the tournament.

Tribby encouraged everyone to attend the Welcome Ceremony on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m. “If you have not had a chance to witness the welcome, go to the welcome. You will immediately see the impact of the hero’s welcome. It is just phenomenal.”

He then turned the mic over to the President of Lakota Nation Invitational, Chuck Wilson. Wilson said he wanted to give recognition to the LNI board; Silas Blaine, Vice-President, Dani Walking Eagle, Secretary, Bryan Brewer, Basketball Director, Bob Braveheart, Board Member, Jay Claymore, Board Member, John Haas, Board Member, Jess Mendoza, Board Member, Mike Carlow, Board Member, Allen Benoist, Board Member, Keith Ferguson, Board Member, Johaunna Dreamer, Assist Secretary and Sandra Weaver, Accountant for LNI.

“When I got on board 17 years ago, from the very beginning I thought this has to be a partnership between LNI and the citizens of Rapid City,” Wilson said, and because of the growth of the tournament, he added, “We can’t do this thing without you guys. We’ve grown so much that I am going to probably be calling some of you guys because I’m going to need some help to make this thing work.”

“I think from the very start we thought of ourselves as a family. Hopefully together we can make this thing bigger and better,” he said. “I am just an athletic director and for me to try to maneuver through the business world is kinda tough. Hopefully we can find some people to help us do that.”

“I want to thank all our sponsors, without you guys it would be very difficult to do what we do. I really want to thank the Monument staff especially Craig and James for what you guys do. You make us feel so welcome. You guys have such a great facility, it really is unbelievable,” Wilson said.

Sandra Weaver an accountant for LNI described the multiple ways a person can lend their support. Weaver explained that buying advertising space in the LNI program, “Last year we sold over 25,000 tickets and that’s people looking at your ads. We also welcome sponsorships. We see quite a few sponsors here tonight. We appreciate any and all of your support.”

Steve Burgess, Vice President of Operations for Dean Kurtz Construction Company, said “I am a little embarrassed that Dean Kurtz has never donated to the LNI. We have done so much work on every reservation in South Dakota and we have never been approached. And Dan approached me this year. I think we owe it to the reservation and LNI to be a sponsor and I think we will do it annually.”

Karen Mortimer of the Human Relations Commission in partnership with the Mniluzahan Okolakiciyapi Ambassadors, HRC/MOA welcomed everyone and encouraged them to participate in the Hand game Tournament. HRC/MOA board members Paula Long Fox, Lloyd Lacroix, Denise Maher, Karen Mortimer, Amy Sazue, Bill May with HRC/MOA Coordinator, LaFawn Janis then presented a check for $8,000 to LNI Board members.

Also at the event were sisters Dew Bad Warrior-Ganje and Sarah Bad Warrior-Vrooman. Sarah flew in from Brookings to present a check for $10,000 to LNI from the Program she operates at South Dakota State University called Wokini Initiative.

“I want to be part of LNI this year and hopefully for many years to come,” she said.

(Contact Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa at anunkasanhupa@gmail.com)

The post ‘We are all better because of it’ first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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