Simplified: South Dakota Urban Indian Health is hosting its annual parade on Monday to celebrate Native American Day. It's the first time they've been able to hold the parade since before the pandemic. Here's what's in store for the holiday.
Why it matters
- This is the third parade held in Sioux Falls, with the first one in 2018. The parade did not run in 2020 or in 2021 due, in part, to the pandemic.
- This year's theme is "We walk with our teachers," which is meant to lift up all kinds of teachers, those in school and the everyday teachers.
- The parade is meant to help bring together the Native American community, Char Green, one of the parade organizers and grant project manager with SDUIH, said.
- The event isn't just for Native Americans. Green said all are welcome to celebrate and learn about Native American culture.
"As Native people when we gather it, is definitely a sense of community wellness," Green said. "I think that's the bigger takeaway. I think being together is such an important thing and having relationships and face-to-face interactions."
What should I know before I go?
Native American Day is observed in South Dakota on the second Monday of October. It's a day to celebrate Native American culture as a whole.
The idea for the parade started over five years ago among community members. Green helped take over the parade by the second year, and SDUIH is a newer community partner.
- There's been a two-year break over COVID, with one remote year and one year used to honor the passing of the former CEO of SDUIH.
This year, the parade is also looking for more committee members outside of SDUIH to help keep the parade in the hands of the community.
"The idea is that it stays in the community," Green said. "That we pass it down to younger generations, and then it stays within the people."
Tell me about the event on Monday
The day will open at 9 a.m. with a prayer in Lyon Park followed by the first-ever fun run at 10:45 a.m.
- The fun run is meant to get people moving and engaged with their own wellness, Green said.
The parade will kick off at 11 a.m. on 13th and Phillips Avenue.
- Green said there will be floats, regalia, and dancing to honor members of the community.
- The parade will end at the farmer's market at the Falls. Five-hundred meals will be given away for lunch around 12:30 p.m. Green said there will also be a pop-up round dance and a drum group at the lunch and gathering.
"Sioux Falls has very few opportunities like this for people to actually see a snippet of the culture," Green said. "I'm a big believer in like that to educate people is to create more understanding of our culture and our ways of life."
