The Fifth Annual Badlands Heritage Celebration takes place Saturday at the White River Visitor Center in the South Unit of Badlands National Park. I
t’s an opportunity for non-Natives to learn about the Lakota culture and maybe eat a little fry bread.
The Oglala Sioux Parks and Recreation Authority is hosting the heritage celebration.
Spokesperson Corbin Conroy says the main purpose of the event is to bring people together.
“We’re putting this on because the people don’t know about their neighbors,” Conroy explains, “which is the indigenous people that are living right next door to them. We want to provide them with a cultural experience, talk about our history, where we’re at today…and also the past, too. And that way we can all get an understanding of who we are as people.”
Badlands Heritage Celebration activities focus on traditional Lakota songs, dances, and crafts. Visitors can also enjoy exhibits and films about Lakota history and culture at the White River Visitor Center.
Corbin Conroy says traditional foods are on the menu, including fry bread – while it lasts.