Cave tours resumed yesterday at Wind Cave National Park after repairs were completed on the cave’s balky elevator
Park Supt Leigh Welling says the timing is great, coming just ahead of a 3-day weekend that culminates in the park’s Native Americans’ Day celebration on Monday.
Welling says the park is “looking forward to hosting people Monday who want to see the cave and experience some of the art and living culture of our Native American communities.”
Native Americans’ Day events kick off in the Visitors Center Auditorium Monday morning at 9:00 with a welcome from Welling and remarks by National Park Service Native American Affairs Liaison Dorothy FireCloud.
The morning also has presentations by metalsmith Jhon Goes in Center and fashion designer Tosa Two Heart before the 11:30 dedication in the lobby of Wind Cave’s new sculpture “Cȟaŋgléška-Wakȟaŋ”, or “Sacred Hoop” with artist Kelly Looking Horse.
Activities move outside in the afternoon at with world-renowned hoop dancers Starr Chief Eagle and Jasmine Bell at 1:30 and Sicangu Lakota author, musician, and actress Emmy Her Many Horses at 3:30 with a presentation entitled “Classical, Traditional, Ancestral: What Makes it Native?”