REMEMBERING THE CHILDREN

MEMORIAL WALK

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

Each year on Native American Day (the 2nd Monday of October) the community organizes a walk of prayer in memory of the children who passed away. The walk usually begins at "Sioux Park" in the morning and ends at "Sioux San."

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2020 Memorial Walk & Children’s Memorial Ribbon Cutting

DATE: MONDAY OCTOBER 12

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10:00am

Memorial Walk (Sioux Park)

(Sioux Park near Baken Park to field behind West Middle School & Canyon Lake Methodist Church)

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11:30am

Remembering the Children * Wakȟáŋyeža Wičhákiksuyapi 

Memorial Groundbreaking

(Open field behind West Middle School & Canyon Lake Methodist Church)

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·        Prayer, Speakers, Special guests, and light snacks

·        Parking at West Middle School or Canyon Lake Methodist Church parking lots

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Each year on Native American Day (the 2nd Monday of October) the community organizes a walk of prayer in memory of the children who passed away at the Rapid City Indian Boarding School.

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In addition, this year we will have a special groundbreaking. A memorial will be built for the children near the location of their unmarked graves. Please join us to honor the children and help commence this community project decades in the making.

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WEATHER: 

• The event will occur regardless of weather. A decision was made the first year of the Memorial Walk that the children endured great hardship - many passing away in the winter while trying to escape, and if we must also on the day of their honoring it will be so.

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COVID PRECAUTIONS:

• Masks must be worn by all attendees

• Each attendee is must stand 6ft apart from any other attendee who is not in their group

• Hand sanitizer will be provided at the start and finish

•  There is a chance the Memorial Walk permit could be cancelled by the City due to increased COVID issues. If this does occur the Walk portion will be cancelled, but the Groundbreaking will still take place.

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TO BRING:

• A folding chair to sit during the Ribbon Cutting (drop it off at the Church lot before the walk) (extra chairs for elders)

• Warm coats and blankets if the weather is cold (extra blankets for elders)

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EXECUTIVE PROCLAMATION

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA

WHEREAS, On this Native American Day we gather together to honor all of the children who attended and who passed away at the Rapid City Indian Boarding School; and

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WHEREAS, The existence of the Indian Boarding School in Rapid City is a difficult piece of history to address, especially considering the children were the ones who ultimately suffered from its existence; and

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WHEREAS, Although difficult, it is our responsibility, and obligation in memory of these children, to continue addressing the controversial decisions made in our community’s past, which continue to trouble our present; and

WHEREAS, While we are unable to change the past, we are able to face the difficult truths head-on through honest dialogue and collaboration in an effort to forge a better tomorrow for all children in this community.

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NOW, THEREFORE, I, Steve Allender, Mayor of Rapid City, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 8, 2018, as The Day of the Grandmothers Unci Tha-anpetu 

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In Rapid City in honor of the grandmothers who have carried this piece of history and honored the memory of the children lost for generations.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, Steve Allender, Mayor of the City of Rapid City, South Dakota, do hereby affix my official signature and the Official Seal of the City of Rapid City, South Dakota, on this 8th day of October, 2018.

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Steve Allender, Mayor
Rapid City, South Dakota