09/24/2026
History was made at the Rapid City Minimum Center as we hosted our very first Pow Wow! Planned entirely by the offender-led Black Hills Council, the event brought together 60 incarcerated individuals to celebrate culture, fellowship, and tradition.
An event like this relies on incredible community support:
• Connie Hopkins, a dedicated longtime supporter of the Black Hills Council, generously donated the buffalo meat for the stew along with willow branches for the ceremony.
• Oaye Luta Okolakiciye members Gene Tyon, Tricia Old Elk, Lisa Stands, and Julia Miller attended as honored guests and supplied ceremonial items. Their organization raised funds to gift RCMC a new, blessed buffalo-hide drum handmade by Tasunke Weston to replace the facility's aging one.
• DOC GED Teacher Krystal Summers collaborated closely with council members and students to research and design the evening’s program, delivering a moving presentation on the meaning behind its design.
In return, offenders showed their appreciation by gifting handcrafted beadwork to our special guests.
Oaye Luta Okolakiciye translates to "Moving Forward in a Sacred Way." As they launch a cultural, community-based addiction and behavioral health program across our Rapid City facilities, events like this underscore the healing power of cultural connection.
This inaugural Pow Wow is the first of many to come at RCMC and to be duplicated at the Woman’s Facility, RCCF. Thank you to everyone who made this meaningful milestone possible!
