Crazy Horse to host Native Americans’ Day

South Dakota was the first state to officially celebrate Native Americans’ Day on the second Monday in October annually and the first dedication of the holiday from then Gov. George S. Mickelson was held at Crazy Horse Memorial. For over 30 years, the celebration of Native Americans’ Day at the Memorial has echoed the original event and it has grown to become a staple in the Black Hills.
The event will take place again Monday, Oct. 12, at Crazy Horse Memorial. The event features  guest speakers, singers and presentation of the annual Crazy Horse Memorial Educator of the Year Award at 10 a.m., followed by free buffalo stew at the Laughing Water restaurant. From 11 a.m. to 3 pm. there will be craft workshops conducted by indigenous artists.
All cultural programming, including all programs on Native Americans’ Day, are included with admission to the Memorial.
Crazy Horse Memorial’s website states in 1990, the South Dakota Legislature established the Native Americans’ Day holiday at the urging of Gov. George S. Mickelson, which propelled South Dakota to be the first state to recognize the holiday.
Gov. Mickelson declared 1990 as a “Year of Reconciliation” and called for the first Native Americans’ Day observance to be held at Crazy Horse Memorial, where the likeness of the Lakota leader is being carved to honor the Native Americans.
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.”