KOTA Territory NewsA celebration of culture at Crazy Horse Memorial

A celebration of culture at Crazy Horse Memorial

Rachael Embler

For the 20th year in a row Native American day is celebrated in South Dakota a chance to think back on two decades of change.

After 20 years of celebrating Native American Day Oglala Sioux tribal members said they are closer to their goal.

"We are looking for one common goal and that's unity," said Oglala Sioux Tribal Member Myron Pourier.

A goal council members said is now shared with the Senate after they formally apologized to Native Americans for centuries of mistreatment.

"It allows us to remember our Native American heroes of the past and our future and today," Pourier said.

Tribal members call a step in the right direction.

"It gives us something to build on from both sides for race relations in this state," Pourier said.

It may bring them a step closer to getting back what they lost long ago.

"As far as the tribes getting land back. I see it happening in the future. I can't say in the near future," Pourier said.

However, at the Crazy Horse celebration of Native American Day and 20 years in the right direction they emphasize the next step to reconciliation.

"We need our young children to start asking our parents questions about who they are, where do they come from, so we can set a foundation to become unified as one people," he said.

Furthermore, many hope to teach their children to carry on the message of unity.

"To continue the story. To always remember the native people, the native culture," said the executive vice president of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation.

Then maybe in another 20 years they'll reach their goal.

"It's 20 years and we're still growing and hopefully people will learn more and more and really get behind it and understand what the Native American people have done for this country and what they can offer," said Executive Vice President Jadwiga Ziolkowski.

South Dakota has the 3rd highest proportion of Native Americans in the country and the 8th largest population among the states.