The Native American community of the Black Hills (He Sapa, Rapid City, SD) is desperately lacking a community space for traditional and cultural gatherings. There is no modern place, which provides a sense of belonging, comfort, and spirituality for the people of Oceti Sakowin. When our community loses a loved one, our relatives are burdened with the lack of resources, to carry on our own traditional ceremonies. In our Lakota culture, we pray with the departed until the burial. Many times, there are disconnects as our people have not been able to practice these traditional ceremonies. This is due to a level of non-native ordinances and rules. Indigenous nations have always been connected to the Black Hills of South Dakota. This is why they are considered sacred to the Oceti Sakowin and other tribes. Rapid City, SD is the entrance to the Black Hills, and has always acted as a welcoming point for us to gather. A small group of community members including myself (He Sapa Otipi, Inc.), are committed towards creating a cultural-based community center, which will help accelerate Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and values.
I am proposing to build a sustainable and renewable energy operated community center for the Black Hills. For this project, the design and construction development phases will possess and incorporate environmental values, such as Sustainability. Sustainability is an indigenous value and the community is in dire need of a community center. Our community needs a place that will work towards preservation, education, and engagement. It is essential for the community of the Black Hills to celebrate the richness of our shared values and also heritage. Our shared vision of a sustainable cultural community center will encourage unity and respect within the community. The promotion of healing between Native and Non-native peoples for the betterment of the present and future generations is a need. This place will help create culture, transitioning Oceti Sakowin based-values and teachings into the community. This space will also empower the people of the Black Hills to build trust and create lasting relationships. Indigenous knowledge is essential to persevere, by establishing a place in the community, this project will help delivery traditional practices. In addition, new technology is a huge resource to the younger generation, it is important cultural that we take advantage of implementing technology for education.
A dedicated, unifying, and evolving voice, that advocates for the best interest of the Native American community has gone unheard. There is a lack of representation, support, and communication between our community and the City, State, and Tribal governments. Lack of resource and effective communication are the biggest barriers that is keeping us from reaching this goal.
