Native American Community Events in South Dakota

Founded in 1993 by David G. Myers, the Native American Heritage Association represents over three decades of unwavering commitment to supporting Native American families in Rapid City, SD and throughout the tribal reservations of South Dakota and Wyoming. Witnessing the severe daily challenges faced by Native Americans living in extreme poverty, Mr. Myers established NAHA with a mission to provide basic life necessities and self-help programs to as many families as possible. Following David Myers' passing in 2014, his daughter Pam Myers carried forward his vision with great dedication, expanding the organization's reach and impact. Today, under the leadership of President Erin Hibbs, a devoted NAHA team member of over 15 years, the association continues to honor the original vision established three decades ago. NAHA's work directly addresses the reality that Crow Creek and Pine Ridge Reservations are among the poorest communities in America, where food insecurity and lack of access to basic necessities affect countless families daily. The organization has grown substantially over 25 years through the loyalty of compassionate donors, providing not just emergency assistance but also fostering stability and resilience within Native American communities. NAHA's approach emphasizes human dignity and accountability, recognizing that recipients deserve more than temporary relief—they deserve a hand up and the opportunity to improve their circumstances. The organization's deep roots in South Dakota and genuine commitment to the Sioux people reflect a mission rooted in compassion and a determination to create meaningful, lasting change in Native American communities.

First Peoples Fund, headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, is guided by the principle of Collective Spirit—a commitment to nurture shared humanity and honor our interconnection with one another, the lands we inhabit, those who came before us, and the spirit of all things. Founded in 1995, the organization has spent nearly three decades supporting the cultural, artistic, and ancestral practices of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian artists, families, and communities. The Collective Spirit philosophy moves First Peoples Fund to stand up and make a difference, to pass on ancestral knowledge, and to extend generosity—recognizing that these values are essential to sustaining the cultural fabric of Native communities and enabling them to thrive and heal. The organization's mission centers on honoring and supporting the Collective Spirit of First Peoples artists and culture bearers, understanding that art and culture serve as the creative lifeblood of Indigenous communities. First Peoples Fund believes that individual artists and their families are the foundation for broader community transformation. Through this lens, the organization provides not just financial resources but also creates spaces for connection, celebration, and knowledge-sharing—from the Collective Spirit Podcast featuring Native artists discussing their practices, to community events like the 25th Anniversary celebration at the Kennedy Center. By fostering relationships among artists, communities, and supporters, First Peoples Fund works to strengthen the Indigenous arts ecology and ensure that Native creative expression, teachings, and lifeways continue to flourish for generations to come.