Crazy Horse Memorial Hosted Annual Indigenous Celebration
The 36th annual Native Americans' Day event in South Dakota featured traditional dances, workshops, and educational programs.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Native American
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The Crazy Horse Memorial held its 36th annual Native Americans' Day celebration, honoring the holiday first recognized in South Dakota. The event brought together community members for traditional performances and educational presentations.
Why it matters
The celebration advances the vision of Chief Henry Standing Bear, who established the memorial to educate the public on Indigenous life and culture. It serves as a focal point for heritage and community engagement in the Black Hills region.
The celebration commenced at 10 a.m. and featured a free buffalo stew lunch provided by the Laughing Water Restaurant and Custer State Park. South Dakota holds the distinction of being the first state to officially recognize Native Americans' Day, a practice established in the 1990s.
The players
Mary Bowman
She is the founder of the Oceti Sakowin Community Academy and recipient of the annual Crazy Horse Memorial Educator of the Year Award.
Chance Rush
He served as the keynote speaker for the 36th annual celebration.
Chief Henry Standing Bear
He was the visionary leader who founded the memorial to educate the public on Indigenous ways of life.
The details
The event featured traditional dance performances and craft workshops led by Indigenous artists, alongside a keynote presentation by Chance Rush. During the program, Mary Bowman received the annual Crazy Horse Memorial Educator of the Year Award for her founding of the Oceti Sakowin Community Academy.
Timeline
The 36th annual Native Americans' Day celebration occurred on October 12, 2026.
South Dakota first recognized Native Americans' Day in the 1990s.
Daily dance performances will return to the memorial in late spring 2027.
Culture Shift
This celebration reflects the ongoing societal trend of formalizing state recognition for Indigenous heritage and holidays. It follows the pattern set by South Dakota's 1990s recognition of Native Americans' Day, which paved the way for broader cultural acknowledgment.
Residents and visitors planning future trips to the memorial should note that the facility will soon return to its regular fall and winter operating hours. Those interested in traditional dance performances can expect them to resume at the site in late spring.
The takeaway
Communities across the region can participate in these events to gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous history and modern cultural contributions. Families can look forward to future seasonal programming as the memorial continues its year-round educational efforts.
Further reading
Learn more about local cultural traditions in the South Dakota Native American section.
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