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LNI Kicks Off With Red Carpet Welcome

The 42nd annual Lakota Nation Invitational starts in Rapid City Wednesday. Student and coaches were greeted by business leaders and family members in Rapid City during a red carpet welcome.

Buses of Lakota Nation Invitational, or LNI participants were escorted to the Civic Center by Rapid City the Police, Sheriff’s and Fire departments. They walked down a long red carpet and gave high fives to fans.

Julie Schmitz Jensen is the President & CEO of Visit Rapid City. She helps organize the red carpet welcome.

“For years and years, Lakota Nation Invitational has been a very big event in Rapid City. But sometimes when an event comes back year after year, you kind of take it for granted. And a couple of year ago the board of directors of LNI reminded us of just how important this event is.”

Hundreds of students arrived to participate in competitions ranging from basketball and cheerleading to chess and spelling bees. Rapid City has hosted the LNI for 40 years. Jensen says attendees and participants provide a boost to the local economy.

“We just feel like these kids are so important and their families and the fans. And of course it’s an economic boost to Rapid City during a typically fairly time in our city. But more than that, it just bridges a cultural gap that sometimes happens in our city. Our Natives and non-Natives gather together and gather these wonderful kids and parents and fans and it’s just heartwarming.”

Sports and other activities run through Saturday.