07/24/2026
There are not many people who are blessed to witness a moment like this. One hundred and fifty years is more than a number. It is the footsteps of our ancestors, the songs that never stopped being sung, and the prayers that carried our people through both joyful and difficult times.
Long before there were grandstands, lights, or livestreams, our people gathered because it was who we were. We came together to honor the Creator, to visit with relatives, to celebrate our children, and to remind one another that no matter what hardships came our way, we would remain Lakota.
Today, we walk into the same circle our grandparents and great grandparents once walked. The drums still speak. The eagle feathers still rise with honor. The dancers still tell our stories with every step. Every child who enters the arena carries the hopes of the generations yet to come.
As we celebrate the 150th Annual Rosebud Sioux Tribe Wacipi, I ask each of you to remember why we gather. Shake the hand of an elder. Encourage a young dancer. Listen to the songs. Visit with relatives you haven't seen in years. Leave this celebration stronger than when you arrived.
To those traveling home, welcome back. This will always be your home. To our visitors, we welcome you with a good heart. Respect our ways, enjoy our hospitality, and celebrate with us.
When the announcer calls for Grand Entry, remember that you are not walking alone. Behind you walk the generations who came before us, and ahead of you walk the generations who will carry these traditions long after we are gone.
May the Creator watch over every family traveling to Rosebud. May the drums be strong, the dancers be proud, and the circle be filled with love, laughter, and respect.
Come home. Come celebrate. Come remember who we are.
150 Years. Lakota Strong.
