Indianz.Com > News > Native Sun News Today: City welcomes Lakota people for Days of ’76 event
![daysof76](https://indianz.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20/daysof76.jpg)
Days of ’76 includes Native focus
DEADWOOD, South Dakota — The Days of ’76 Parade and Rodeo here has been growing over the years, and now its sponsors’ interest in the inclusion of Native American culture is, too.
The annual event began in 1924 to feature Deadwood’s history. It tells how gold seekers and their followers founded the northern Black Hills mining town in 1876. Thousands of people rushed in here during the 1875 Deadwood Gulch stampede when prospectors hit pay dirt. These settlers named their camp Deadwood after the dead trees in the gulch.
The storied past comes to life at the Days of ’76 through a week of events featuring parades, a nationally acclaimed rodeo, and recently, a stage venue focusing attention on the Native Lakota culture. For the July 26-31, 2021, celebration, the city has booked Native talent at centrally located Outlaw Square, a new public venue on the corner of Deadwood and Main streets.
In the future, Deadwood hopes to host a powwow during the week of Days of ’76, giving participants heightened opportunities for immersion in Black Hills history and culture, according to Mayor David R. Ruth Jr.
“It’s important to understand, especially for visitors, that Deadwood is very supportive of the Lakota people,” he told the Native Sun News Today.
Prior to the 2020 completion of Outlaw Square facilities on the former site of Deadwood’s City Hall and the Deadwood Theater, Lakota and other talent performed next to the rodeo grounds at Ferguson Field — the home the Lead-Deadwood Gold-diggers football team –, and a long walk from downtown.
“Having our Lakota talent featured at Outlaw Square gives visitors a chance to experience Lakota culture who might not make it to the rodeo,” said Deadwood Historic Preservation Officer Kevin Kuchenbecker. “It’s important to the city, our residents and visitors to experience Lakota culture during our biggest event of the year, and I think we will continue to see that grow.”
In recent years, the event committee has ramped up its planning with local talents such as Dallas Chief Eagle, Warren “Guss” Yellowhair, and the family of late David Bald Eagle.
“I like to participate in the Days of ’76 event to give visitors a glimpse into our past as Oceti Sakowin Oyate, better known as the Great Sioux Nation,” said Oglala Sioux tribal member Yellowhair. “We need to show them that we are still alive in the Black Hills area and it is important for people to know the descendants are still here representing” the People of the Seven Council Fires, also known as the Lakota, he said.
Yellowhair takes part in the Days of ’76 parades with his family, always singing the American Indian Movement song as the processions move along Main Street.
![](https://indianz.com/News/2016/08/05/davidbeautifulbaldeagle.jpg)
NATIVE SUN NEWS TODAY
Support Native media!
Read the rest of the story on Native Sun News Today: Days of ’76 includes Native focus
Contact Darren Thompson at darrenjthompson@hotmail.com
Note: Copyright permission Native Sun News Today
Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
Source New Mexico: Republican lawmaker eyes Deb Haaland’s job
Native America Calling: The message from the sacred white buffalo calf
Native America Calling: Making the case for a Republican president
Native talent lands nominations for annual Emmy Awards
Source New Mexico: Tribal leader discusses public safety at Republican convention
TRANSCRIPT: James Crawford, Chairman of Forest County Potawatomi Community, at Republican Convention
VIDEO: James Crawford, Chairman of Forest County Potawatomi Community, at Republican Convention
AUDIO: James Crawford, Chairman of Forest County Potawatomi Community, at Republican Convention
Native America Calling: Assessing control of Congress
‘Bring our kids home’: Winnebago Tribe in court over children buried at Indian boarding school
Cronkite News: Republicans continue to deny impacts of climate change
Native America Calling: The common ground between Republican and Native American values
‘A fake holiday’: Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance derided Indigenous Peoples’ Day
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation closes the gap in health care disparities
More Headlines
Native America Calling: The message from the sacred white buffalo calf
Native America Calling: Making the case for a Republican president
Native talent lands nominations for annual Emmy Awards
Source New Mexico: Tribal leader discusses public safety at Republican convention
TRANSCRIPT: James Crawford, Chairman of Forest County Potawatomi Community, at Republican Convention
VIDEO: James Crawford, Chairman of Forest County Potawatomi Community, at Republican Convention
AUDIO: James Crawford, Chairman of Forest County Potawatomi Community, at Republican Convention
Native America Calling: Assessing control of Congress
‘Bring our kids home’: Winnebago Tribe in court over children buried at Indian boarding school
Cronkite News: Republicans continue to deny impacts of climate change
Native America Calling: The common ground between Republican and Native American values
‘A fake holiday’: Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance derided Indigenous Peoples’ Day
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week
Chuck Hoskin: Cherokee Nation closes the gap in health care disparities
More Headlines