The Black Hills, or Pahá Sápa, hold a profound significance for the Lakota people, not just as a sacred land, but as the very heart of their cultural identity, spiritual connection, and history. For centuries, these hills have been a source of life, sustenance, and inspiration. Today, they remain a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the Lakota, even amidst ongoing struggles over land rights and cultural preservation.
The South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance (SDNTA), with the support of GW International Institute of Tourism Studies and Travel South Dakota, has taken a crucial step in bridging the gap between history as it is often taught and the deeper, more nuanced truths held by the original stewards of this land.
Training Native Tour Guides
In May, SDNTA trained 22 Native tour guides on the basics of being a step-on tour guide for the August 12th World Wilderness Congress’s tour day to the Black Hills. The majority of trainees did not have any prior tour guiding experience but joined because they were excited about sharing their culture with conference visitors.
Training topics included an introduction to storytelling and the importance of telling a unified story, a deep dive into the logistics of being a tour guide, and a visit to the Journey Museum, a museum focused on connecting visitors with the people, cultures, and science behind the sacred Black Hills and prairies of Western South Dakota. It also included activities to prepare trainees for the field training at Bear Butte State Park. These activities focused on scriptwriting, role-playing, time management, and group management.
On the third day of training, eight trainees participated in the field training at Bear Butte State Park. Trainees, having prepared a script and played various tour guide roles, gained experience riding in a motorcoach and using a microphone, introducing themselves in Lakota, conducting tour and safety briefings, managing the group on-site, navigating changing tour logistics, and giving presentations on topics related to culture, traditions, flora, and fauna. Participants also enjoyed a presentation from the Bear Butte State Park staff who provided an overview of the park and shared tips for conducting successful tours for visitors.
In July, trainees who wanted additional guiding practice and those who were unable to make it to the field training at Bear Butte State Park visited Wind Cave National Park to better prepare themselves to the tour since many had never visited before.
Visitor Itineraries
In addition to training tour guides, the SDNTA also assisted the WILD Foundation in drafting tour itineraries. The first itinerary included a visit to Wind Cave National Park and its buffalo corral for a discussion on the cultural significance of the park, bison as a cultural and natural resource for Tribal Nations in northern Great Plains, and how partnerships with NPS transfer live animals to Tribal Nations to support Tribal goals for bison restoration and food sovereignty.
The second itinerary included a visit to Bear Butte State Park, which also included a cultural presentation by the Sicangu Youth Council. The goal was not only to introduce visitors to the beauty of the Black Hills but also to share the Native cultural perspectives, including the youth perspective, on the region’s land, history, traditions, and current extractive mining activities.
Making It Their Own: Tour Day
Five guides and one trainer were selected to lead three tour groups, of nearly 150 visitors total, to the Black Hills on August 28th. This initiative was more than a mere educational endeavor; it was an act of reclamation, an opportunity to elevate Indigenous voices and challenge the narratives that have long marginalized or misrepresented them.
In the weeks leading up to the Wild12 Conference, the tour guides diligently prepared for their roles, carefully studying the routes, identifying significant points of interest, and collaborating with their partners to divide responsibilities. They worked to hone their storytelling skills and were determined to convey the depth and richness of their heritage. For many, this was their first experience as a guide, and there were initial feelings of nervousness. As the day unfolded, however, they found became more confident. Connecting with the visitors, sharing their insights, and making the experience their own allowed them to step fully into their role as a tour guide.
Visitor Experiences
When Native guides share their knowledge, they offer perspectives that move beyond what is found in history books—perspectives that speak to the sacredness of the land, the richness of Lakota culture and traditions, and the complex truths of our collective past.
Each guide spoke of the land's significance and the essential role it plays in their community's survival—reminding us all that "everything we need is in the Black Hills," as one tour guide shared.
As one of the guides put it, "Tourism is very important. Correct history is important. We need to get these stories right. It's a human being issue." This sentiment was echoed by many of the guides, who shared their experiences and insights with visitors eager to understand the real stories behind the Black Hills.
This quote from a visitor — “I never heard these stories, the real story of Standing Rock” — reflects a common experience for many people who encounter Native perspectives for the first time. For much of U.S. history, Native stories and voices have been either marginalized or misrepresented in mainstream education, media, and public discourse. Events like the protests at Standing Rock in 2016, which were led by the Lakota and other Native Nations to protect water and sacred land from the Dakota Access Pipeline, have often been framed in ways that overlook the deeper historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of the land and resources to Native peoples.
The "real story" this visitor referred to encompasses many layers. It involves understanding the long history of treaties made and broken by the U.S. government, the struggles over land rights that began long before the protests, and the ongoing fight for sovereignty and environmental justice that Standing Rock represents. The visitor's comment suggests that what is commonly known or taught about Standing Rock — and about Native American history in general — is often incomplete or distorted, leaving out critical Native perspectives and the lived experiences of the people directly affected.
Moments like this highlight the transformative power of having Native guides share their own stories. Visitors are not just learning about historical events; they are being invited to understand these stories from the perspective of those who live and breathe the consequences of these histories every day. The guides offer not just facts, but insights into how these events shape their identity, their relationship to the land, and their vision for the future. By sharing their history and culture, Native guides challenge visitors to see beyond the surface and to recognize the complexities, injustices, and resilience that define Native histories and communities.
This visitor’s realization underscores the importance of Native guides being at the forefront of cultural tourism—offering narratives that are not sanitized or simplified, but grounded in the truth of their people’s experiences.
Engaging Youth: The Sicangu Youth Council Present at Bear Butte State Park
The inclusion of the Sicangu Youth Council in the tour experience was a powerful and inspiring example of youth leadership in action. In collaboration with the SDNTA and the Sicangu Treaty Council, with the generous co-sponsorship from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Tribal Land Enterprise, the Sicangu Youth Council planned a presentation to share their perspectives on the importance of the Black Hills, not only as sacred land but as a symbol of resilience in the face of historical and ongoing challenges.
During their presentation, the Sicangu Youth Council spoke passionately about their program, their recent journey to repatriate remains from the Carlisle Indian School, and the ongoing threats to the Black Hills from mining activities. In a heartfelt gesture, they gifted each attendee with a medicine pouch and explained the significance of each medicine and its traditional uses.
The exchange was more than just an educational moment; it was a cultural offering that fostered a deeper connection between the participants and the land. The youth council's leadership, knowledge, and commitment to protecting their heritage left a lasting impression on the WILD 12 attendees, reminding everyone that the next generation is ready to carry forward the fight for Indigenous rights and the protection of sacred lands.
By training Native guides, SDNTA is not only fostering economic opportunities but also providing opportunities for South Dakota’s Tribal Nations to reclaim the narrative of their land, culture, and history. These guides offer authentic perspectives, sharing stories and traditions rooted in centuries of stewardship and spiritual connection to the Black Hills. Their voices challenge the often-misrepresented histories found in textbooks and mainstream tourism, ensuring that visitors gain a deeper, more respectful understanding of the land’s sacredness and the resilience of its people. This initiative helps preserve Indigenous culture, elevates their voices, and ensures their stories are heard and honored for generations to come.
