Cultural Preservation
The Community engages in a variety of cultural activities which help educate the general public about Indian people. A common misperception about Indian people is that they are merely historical or romanticized figures. The Community not only honors our ancestors by continuing our Dakota traditions, but we also demonstrate that Dakota people are thriving in the modern world. In addition to our annual Wacipi (Pow Wow) and dance exhibition at the Mall of America, the Community works to preserve cultural sites. Children and adults are learning the Dakota language, song, and dance. Each year Community youth celebrate Dakota heritage with Young Native Pride, a free event open to the public, which celebrates Native American culture, traditions, and spirituality through song and dance. A cultural center is planned to display many of the thousands of items in the Community archival collection. In the meantime, cultural galleries, which display Dakota pieces in the SMSC Community Center and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, rotate their displays several times a year.