Native American Day program is Monday

South Dakota was the first state to officially celebrate Native American Day the second Monday in October annually. Elsewhere, the day is observed as Columbus Day.

The S.D. Legislature established the Native American Day holiday at the urging of Gov. George S. Mickelson who declared 1990 as a “Year of Reconciliation” and called for the first Native American Day observance to be held at Crazy Horse Memorial.

At the first holiday gathering, Mickelson told more than 1,200 people, “We can’t turn back the clock. We can only turn to the future together. What we can do as leaders, both Native American and white, is teach others that we can change attitudes.”

The Native American Day celebration at Crazy Horse includes naming the Crazy Horse Memorial Educator of the Year, which honors an individual who has made significant contributions to Native American education. The award includes a $1,000 grant to the recipient’s school library or to programs of his or her choice that help students. 

The program also includes a free public program featuring Native American singers and dancers at 10 a.m.

Programs and displays featuring artists, storytellers and hands-on activities for children are offered in the visitor complex. A free buffalo stew lunch is available to all visitors courtesy of Korczak’s Heritage, Inc., Laughing Water Restaurant and Custer State Park.

Native American Music Awards Artist of the Year,  singer, songwriter and Grammy member Shelley Morningsong (Northern Cheyenne) and her husband, performer and educator, Fabian Fontenelle  (Zuni/Omaha), will be at the memorial with dance and music of the Northern Plains and indigenous culture fused with modern music on the outdoor viewing veranda at 1:30 p.m.