
MEMORIAL WALK
RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA
2021 Memorial Walk
DATE: Monday October 11 - Native Americans' Day
WHAT: A memorial event for the children who attended and those who passed away while attending the Rapid City Indian Boarding School, (MASKS REQUESTED)
WHO: All are invited and welcome to attend and honor the children
9:00am
Welcome Remarks (Sioux Park, Flower Gardens)
10:00am
Walk from Sioux Park to Sioux San (1 mile)
11:00am
Prayers for the children (Sioux San - outdoors - chairs will be available for elders)
Snacks and soup will be provided.
**PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN FOLDABLE CHAIR IF YOU CAN - WE WILL HAVE CHAIRS AND TRANSPORTATION FROM SIOUX PARK TO SIOUX SAN FOR ELDERS
**Names of the Children Who Passed Away (Updated 8/2018)**
(Children who the research team has been able to identify thus far who passed away while in attendance at the Rapid City Indian Boarding School. Causes of death range from disease, to side affects of malnutrition, to freezing to death while attempting to escape.)
Bessie Bare Arm Necklace (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Luke Shell Necklace (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Mabel Holy (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Rose Little Shield (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Tommy Afraid of Thunder (Cheyenne River Sioux)
Alonzo Little Chief (Cheyenne)
Martin Hart (Cheyenne)
Charles Crow Dog (Crow Creek)
Evelyn Day (Crow Creek)
Sophia Fleury (Crow Creek)
John Telcostair (Flathead)
Male child 1926 (Flathead)
Alfred Old Dog (Gros Ventres)
Charles Long Turkey (Lower Brule)
Melissa Rencountre (Lower Brule)
Adolph Bissonnette (Pine Ridge)
Adolph Russell (Pine Ridge)
Dorothy Crier (Pine Ridge)
Ida Logan (Pine Ridge)
James Means (Pine Ridge)
Joseph Brown (Pine Ridge)
Louis Long Horn (Pine Ridge) Mark Sherman (Pine Ridge)
Mary Galligo (Pine Ridge)
Spencer Ruff (Pine Ridge)
Infant Naomi Goings (likely Pine Ridge)
Hubert “Phillip” Moore (Rosebud)
Joseph Face Darkling (Rosebud)
Nicholas Eagle Horn (Rosebud)
Susan “Lottie” Blue Horse (likely Rosebud)
Isadore Eagle Feather (Sioux)
Raymond Barker (Sioux)
Abner Kirk (Sisseton)
Jennie Pretends Eagle (Standing Rock)
Josephine Spotted Bear (Standing Rock)
Robert Cedar Boy (Standing Rock)
Mary Charboneau (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
Martin Williamson (Yankton)
[Illegible] (Sioux)
Infant Foreman (unknown)
Female Child 1919-#1(unknown)
Female Child 1919-#2 (unknown)
Child 1925 (unknown)
Female child 1926 (Sioux)
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.
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.
TO BRING:
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A folding chair to sit (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)

MEDIA COVERAGE
of the Annual Memorial Walk
2019
October 8, 2019 KOTA
https://www.kotatv.com/content/news/Marchers-honor-boarding-school-students-496037841.html
Octoer 14, 2019 SDPB
https://listen.sdpb.org/post/memorial-walk-honors-children-who-died-boarding-schools
October 14, 2019 RAPID CITY JOURNAL
2018
October 03, 2018 NSN
October 5, 2018 KEVN
https://www.blackhillsfox.com/content/news/495317681.html
October 5, 2018 KOTA
https://www.kotatv.com/content/news/Prayer--495317591.html
October 7, 2018 RAPID CITY JOURNAL
2014
January 31, 2014 Loss of Land and Culture at the Boarding School
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Steve Allender, Mayor
Rapid City, South Dakota