[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22304]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          BLACK HILLS POW-WOW

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, it is my distinct pleasure to take 
this opportunity to inform my colleagues in the U.S. Senate about a 
special event taking place in the beautiful Black Hills of South 
Dakota. In Rapid City, on October 7 through October 9, the 19th Annual 
He Sapa Wacipi and Fine Art Show, otherwise known as the Black Hills 
Pow-Wow, will be held. Hundreds of dancers from throughout the Northern 
Plains and Canada will celebrate, compete, and engage in fellowship.
  It is also a time of coming together and enjoying the fine art and 
authentic handmade crafts of many gifted artisans. There will also be 
contemporary indigenous music and handgame tournaments, which have 
become quite popular with the Native youth in our State. This year, for 
the first time, educators and officials with the National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration, NASA, will be in attendance with exhibits and 
presentations that will help foster the possibilities of careers in 
space and technology for South Dakota youth.
  The Tribes of the Great Sioux Nation are a uniquely family-oriented 
culture that has always placed great emphasis and importance on 
relationships with family and friends. Worthy of note, is the Indian 
way of life that means when you walk into their home, you never leave 
hungry. Their hospitality is legendary. They are kind and generous and 
will give from the bottom of their hearts. They embrace their 
spirituality as a part of who they are and they respect and honor their 
Creator.
  Their desire to continue their language and traditions is very dear 
to their hearts. For many years, the language of the Lakota, Dakota and 
Nakota was in danger of being lost. But in the last 30 to 40 years, it 
has begun to flourish and is being restored, thanks to those educators, 
elders and all who recognize its beauty and significance in our time. 
The coming generations will be a testimony of the importance of this 
legacy.
  I would like to take this opportunity to give special recognition to 
the He Sapa Wacipi Pow-Wow Association and all the volunteers who 
selflessly give of their time and effort to bring this event together 
every year. It is a lot of work, but the end result is a spectacle of 
beauty and pageantry every year. They can be very proud of all their 
efforts and I officially acknowledge and honor them for their 
dedication.

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