NEWS, EVENTS & THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
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March 19, 2024 Spring Solstice
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April 12,2024 Calling Back the Thunders & Welcoming the Honey Bees
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May 19, 2024 Gathering of Relatives (Celebrating people on sobriety)
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June 20, 2024 Summer Solstice
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July 11, 2024 End of Summer
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Sept. 22, 2024 Fall Equinox
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Dec. 20,2024 Winter Solstice
Embracing Our Ceremonies
2025
Lakota Earthsong
Sustainable Agriculture: Learn innovative techniques for cultivating food while nurturing the land, inspired by traditional Lakota wisdom.
Ethnobotany: Delve into the rich tapestry of plant knowledge within Lakota culture, discovering the diverse uses of native flora.
Cultural Immersion: Immerse yourself in the teachings and practices of the Lakota people, gaining a deeper understanding of their connection to the earth.
Event Date: May 2 - 4, 2025
Deadline for applicants: February 15
FREE to all participants
includes on-site lodging and meals.
Supported by USDA: North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Grant
Experiential Camps
Camps are based on traditional Wolakota values and are certified for Project Venture's Positive Prevention Model. Serving youth from Gregory, Todd, Mellette and Tripp counties in S.D.
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SunkaWakan Otakuye - "Horse Wisdom" Lakota equine life skills are woven into each camp
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2025 Camps
Spring - Isnati - Leadership/Lakota History - Bow & Arrow - Summer - Fall/Hunt Safe
Social Entrepreneurism
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Cultural Tourism
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Tipi Stays
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Camps, Hunting, Fishing, Riding, Hikes
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Traditional art, dance, storytelling
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Star Knowledge
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Restoration Garden - trail walks and Medicinal Herbs
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Cultural Performances and Presentations
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Beekeeping & Honey Products - 100% Pure, raw honey Online/wholesale
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Check out our Honey, Lip balm, Candles, Stickers, Sweetgrass braids, Authentic Parfleche Ornaments.
Shop now -
Adopt a hive
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Leadership Training
Maţo Tašuŋka Wakiŋyaŋ Okolakičye
Bear Horse Thunder Society for Young Men
Womaske ye Waste Walakin Nahan
Young Women's Sisterhood Guild
Youth Leadership Societies are formed by participants in our cultural youth camps. They organize themselves in order to have a youth voice related to our alcohol and drug prevention programming.
Members utilize the Lakota society structure as a peer mentorship and leadership system to promote Lakota language development, increase participation in Lakota spirituality and ceremonies and live an alcohol and drug free life style.
Cultural Experiences
TIPI STAYS
Language Immersion Program
We intend to have a completely language and cultural immersive environment for our youth. With instructor, Joseph Marshall III, our Board of Directors President and native speakers of Lakota, our staff has learned about 200 words in Lakota and basic sentence structure.
Check out the Language Learning Program
- Lakota Voices Dictionary -
More to Know
PBS, Media, Youth Channel
We share our story with many people through print, interviews, and video.
Learn More
Apprenticeship Program
Youth Experience Lakota Culture while making an impact as they participate in the projects and activities of this non-profit organization
Apply Now
Upcoming Activities/Events
LYD invited to participate in "Remembrance Day" Activities in Italy
Listen to SD Public Radio Interview with our Executive Director, Marla Bull Bear.
South Dakota Tourism Training
LYD has been selected for a unique opportunity to be a site for the Discover America Tour through Trafalgar Tours starting in 2023. Working with South Dakota Tourism and George Washington University, we've worked to develop a cultural heritage experience for our visitors. We are excited for the opportunity to have even more visitors to learn about our organization and culture.
2024 Donors:
We would like to thank our donors so far this year: the Steiner Family Foundation and a donation made by Michael Steinberg & Dani Fraser in honor of their loved one Porter Creasman.