Learning From the Lakota
It is with gratitude and excitement that we announce that St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Rapid City has been awarded a 2026 South Dakota United Thank Offering grant. This grant will allow us to collaborate with our Native American partners to develop a Lakota garden., which will help us learn about the Lakota culture and history.
The proposal included a path connecting existing city bike paths, a Medicine Wheel, a shade structure, a mural and other Native art, medicinal plants, and educational signage. The primary purpose of the garden is to share Lakota history, with focus on the impact of the Doctrine of Discovery and Native values.
By increasing understanding of how historical events continue to affect the present and by sharing the richness and strength of Lakota culture and values, we hope to address the racism that remains prevalent in Rapid City. The Episcopal Church played a role in harms inflicted on Native American communities. While we cannot undo the past, we hope this garden can become one small step toward healing through listening, learning, and building relationships.
This is, first and foremost, a Lakota garden. Because St. Andrew’s is a non-Native church, our Native partners play a critical role in garden development and related activities. We cannot and should not attempt to do this alone. We are thankful for our partners:
Rural America Initiatives Head Start and Ateyapi Mentoring Program, Oceti Sakowin Essential Understanding Program, Tamera Miyasato (Native educator), the Guiding Circle of Native advisors, and Black Hills Works Foundation.
Our goal is that the garden truly represents the Native community. Native youth who participate in our partners’ programs are critical participants in the garden’s development. We look forward to working together to create opportunities for them to share their experiences, creativity, and hopes for the future.
We are excited to continue our learning and to see what we can create together.