April 05, 2009

Native culture at Mt. Rushmore

Mt. Rushmore continues to become more Native friendlyBaker, the proud guardian of the behemoth granite shrines of presidents’ George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, said one of his priorities after he came aboard was to bring the Native story to life.

“That story wasn’t being told. A part of my position here is making everyone feel welcome.”

This desire, along with plenty of input, led to the creation of the Heritage Village exhibit in 2008, located off the Presidential Trail. It features three tipis, each one representing the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota nations.

Last summer, Native storytellers, artisans and hoop dancers engaged visitors, and the park plans on doing it all over again this summer season.
Comment:  This article doesn't mention that many white visitors were upset by the three tipis at Mt. Rushmore.

For more on the subject, see:

America's shrine to hypocrisy
Mt. Rushmore summit results
Tribes meet at Mt. Rushmore
"Where are the Indians?"
What Mt. Rushmore tells us
Healing through Mt. Rushmore

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