Crazy Horse News

“Thunder is asleep.”

That’s how Monique Ziolkowski informed some Crazy Horse Memorial staffers about the death of their iconic mascot.

Thunder, the “King of the Cats” at Crazy Horse Memorial, succumbed to illness and age at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 22. Although thought to be 24, his veterinarian vaccination records indicate he was 22.

The gray-and-white gentile greeter, beloved by visitors and staff alike, will be missed.

Thunder was a favorite of children, elders and everyone collecting photo memories. They encountered this free-roaming spirit in the gift shop, on the viewing deck in a sun or shade spot that suited his mood, or on his way to an office appointment.

“He’s the boss and he knows it,” group tour coordinator Anne VanDis told youth journalists in April. “He’s almost regal.”

If he liked you, he slept in your office at the Memorial. And Thunder preferred Anne’s office, although he regularly visited others in the business operations area. “They feed him, and there is water everywhere,” she said.

The welcome mat was out to Thunder, who was doted on more than others in the Memorial’s small cadre of cats. A handwritten note posted at several doors implores, “Please (underlined several times) Don’t let any cat in – Except for Thunder!”

Thunder and his litter mate, Lightning, were born at Crazy Horse and first belonged to Heidi, a granddaughter of Memorial president and chief executive Ruth Ziolkowski. The two kittens were the only offspring in that litter by their petite mother, Dragon. The father was not known.

Young Thunder and Lightning were so pliable that Heidi as a toddler could twine them together and wear them like a necklace, according to her mother, Monique.

Like Thunder, Lightning grew accustomed to walking and posing among adoring fans. That was an unfortunate habit in parking lot traffic.

Thunder grew up to be somewhat “lazy” while reveling in his unexplainable celebrity status by the time both of them were teens, Heidi said. “He wasn’t my cat any more, he was like everybody’s cat.”

He became one of the “finds” in the treasure hunt game for kids. And signs eventually were created to introduce Thunder to passersby and explain his varying attitude about being petted. Usually, he welcomed the adulation. “He would be laying somewhere and we would put out a sign, walk away and come back quite awhile later; the sign would still be there and so was he.”

Heidi built the pine casket for Thunder and fixed to the top his name spelled in cut slices of mountain granite. He was buried Wednesday, June 24, at the Memorial under twin ponderosas near the Fighting Stallions statue just outside the log home-studio. A headstone will be placed later.

“Thunder was literally petted by thousands of people. In the middle of the Sturgis Rally, with the deck literally packed with booted bikers, he would plop down right in the middle of everyone as if to say, ‘OK, time to pet me!’ He was a great cat and it will be strange not to be opening doors for him anymore,” information services manager Kevin Whyte wrote on the Memorial’s Facebook social networking page. Many fans of the Memorial have added their condolences.

A two-fold memorial fund has been established in Thunder’s name. Contributions can be directed to help the local animal shelter with strays, or for scholarships for American Indian students pursuing veterinary degrees.

To contribute or for information about the Thunder Memorial, call 605-673-4681, e-mail memorial@crazyhorse.org, or write to Crazy Horse Memorial, 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD, 57730-8900.

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL – The Crazy Horse Memorial mountain carving on Saturday, June 26, will salute the wife of its founding sculptor and remember a historic event in the life of its legendary namesake.

The magnificent pyrotechnic show will mark the 84th birthday of “Mrs. Z,” Ruth Ziolkowski, and the 134th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Tasunke Witko, the Oglala Lakota war leader known as Crazy Horse, helped guide American Indian warriors in defeating cavalry troops on June 25, 1876, in Montana Territory.

Like the world’s largest carving in progress, the ceremonial night blast grows each year as it lights the mountain. Carving crew members take turns annually in coming up with a new pattern for the rapid-fire display that creates spectacular fireballs, pyrotechnical flashes and reverberating drum-like percussions.

The “Legends in Light” laser and light show will additionally highlight the evening’s program. “Legends” tells the story about Crazy Horse, Chief Henry Standing Bear, sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, Native American accomplishments and the nonprofit Memorial honoring their living heritage.

Those attending the June 26 festivities will be treated to free birthday cake following the laser show and night blast presentations, which begin at dark around 9:30 p.m.

After 6 p.m. Saturday, the Memorial gratefully accepts three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care and Share Food Drive in lieu of the regular admission fee.

The traditional night blast draws large crowds, and those planning to attend should anticipate heavy traffic in the vicinity of Crazy Horse and for parking at the Memorial to overflow from the paved lots at the visitor center to surrounding grassy areas on the Memorial’s campus.

Located on Crazy Horse Memorial Highway, U.S. 16/385 between Hill City and Custer, the Memorial opens at 7 a.m. every day during the summer.

For more information, call 605-673-4681, e-mail memorial@crazyhorse.org.

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Native American and cowboy cultures shared the spotlight at Crazy Horse Memorial.

The memorial celebrated the 20th anniversary of its popular package deal: The Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo and Gift from Mother Earth.

Anne Ziolkowski, director of the memorial’s museum and rodeo, created the art show to complement the rodeo. Dozens of artists and artisans annually fill the memorial’s visitor center with their unique and striking wares.

“I think it’s done well for people, the spectators and the cowboys and the artists,” Ziolkowski said in a release. “The American Indian and Western art blends well together. Some of the people have been coming here for all 20 years.”

Lulu Red Cloud of Pine Ridge has showcased her handcrafted jewelry at the show for 15 years.

She said she’s always impressed by the quality of vendors’ work.

“I’ve seen a lot of talent here,” she said.

The rodeo and art show and sale debuted in 1991. The idea came at the request of a group of Native Americans who proposed Memorial officials host a rodeo in the spirit of reconciliation. They thought it fitting that such an event should unfold in the shadow of a memorial that honors all Native Americans in North America.

The art show recognized outstanding artists by awarding first, second and third place ribbons to various categories of arts and crafts.

Liz Anderson took home a third place ribbon for her beadwork. The honor came as a surprise because the Sisseton woman was without her intended submission.

“I forgot the bag at home,” she said.

So she improvised. She pulled out her wallet and gave it to the judges. The intricate beadwork features a buffalo against a rainbow on one side and paw prints and her initials and on the other.

Anderson said she only does such intricate projects upon request because they take so much time and effort to complete.

This weekend’s art show proved a family affair. Anderson’s son, Walter Chanku, sold his jewelry from a booth adjacent his mother.

Judy Busack was beaming after hearing her daughter took home first place in crafts for her pottery. The Chamberlain woman makes and sells handmade jewelry. Her daughter, Deb Burckhard, crafts horsehair pottery out of her Rapid City studio and displayed her creations at the show.

“I’m always trying to do something different,” she said.

The final day of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competition begins at 2 p.m. today. Tickets can be purchased at the memorial’s entrance or at the rodeo grounds. Rodeo tickets cost $10 for adults and $4 for children ages 6 to 13. Children under 6 get in free. Admission to Crazy Horse Memorial is free with the purchase of a rodeo ticket.

The Gift from Mother Earth Celebration art show and sale runs through 5 p.m. today. Weekend admission for the show is three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care and Share Food Drive.

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL – Young Native American drum and dance performers from the Fort Thompson area will present the next program at the free Thursday Night Summer Performance & Lecture Series at Crazy Horse Memorial.

The 6 p.m. Thursday, June 24, special event features the Dakota Boys Drum & Dance Group, founded by Wayne Two Hawk. The youth troupe from central South Dakota has performed at various functions for schools and community events since 2004.

Admission to Crazy Horse Memorial is free for people attending the weekly programs, with a suggested donation of three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive. After the presentation, program spectators are free to tour the Memorial’s museum and Native American Educational and Cultural Center complex and to stay for the laser-light show at dark.

Native American dancers, singers, musicians and storytellers, mostly from South Dakota, will be featured at the Memorial’s weekly programs through late August. The schedule, coordinated by cultural affairs specialist Belinda Joe, a Crow Creek Sioux Tribe member living in Rapid City, includes:

• July 1: Woyatan Drum & Dance Group: Woyatan means “proud,” and the members show that in sharing their cultural heritage. Daron White Eagle leads this Rapid City-based group.
• July 8: Nellie Two Elk, a Lakota-Dakota from Mission, S.D., has shared her storytelling gift at various functions across South Dakota, and as far away as Spokane, Washington, where she provided a digital storytelling performance.
• July 15: Big Bend Drum & Dance Group: Londell Seaboy, a Dakota, leads this group from the Fort Thompson area continuing his family’s heritage as accomplished singers, dancers and native language speakers who are role models for youth.
• July 22: Sophia Benally: This young singer and dancer is Dakota-Dine’ (Navajo) who entered the powwow dance circle in 2009 as a traditional dancer and youth royalty contestant. Other youth dancers will join her.
• July 29: Wakiyan & Wicahpi Cook & Wakanyeja Wacin Dancers (Hepana and Hepi Shields). Wakiyan and Wicahpi are powwow competition dancers, while Hepana and Hepi are up and coming young performers, all from Rapid City.
• Aug. 5: Del Iron Cloud: This Hunkpapa Lakota artist has attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the American Academy of Art in Chicago. His unique murals are displayed in such places as the Denver International Airport.
• Aug. 12: Luis Saransig and Humberto Burga: These musicians are Kichwas Indians from South America who will demonstrate traditional and contemporary Andean music of Quechua-speaking people known for panpipes and quenas flutes.
• Aug. 19: Alton Little Solder Belt is a Hunkpapa Lakota historian and storyteller living in Rapid City.
• Aug. 26: Harriet Brings and Ailine Maea: This Oglala Lakota mother and her Lakota-Polynesian daughter will present a history and song program to the audience. Harriet Brings teaches Lakota in Rapid City Area Schools and Ailine is a college senior who is a traditional dancer and recent Native American ambassador who toured in Germany.

For more information about the free Thursday Night Summer Performance & Lecture Series, contact Anne Ziolkowski at (605) 673-4681.

Crazy Horse Memorial is a nonprofit educational foundation honoring the historic cultures and living heritage of all North American Indians. The Memorial, on U.S. Highway 16/385 between Hill City and Custer, is open every day, starting at 7 a.m. during the summer.

The Great Plains Indian Rodeo wrapped up on a sunny Friday afternoon with Jake Longbrake winning all around honors. Other event winners and placements are listed below. Scores and city of residence were not provided with results.

Steer Wrestling

1^st Brent Belkham
2^nd Joe Wilson

Bareback Riding

1^st Austin Janis
2^nd Joe Wilson

Saddle Bronc Riding

1^st Jay Longbrake
2^nd Shadow Jensen

Team Roping

1^st Jake Longbrake and Terry Fischer
2^nd Tim Jandreau and Cayne Reinhard
3^rd Jesse Tierney and John Graham
4^th Jake Longbrake and Wroper Kosel

Ladies Barrel Racing

1^st Jessica Whitecalf
2^nd Kristin Lawrence
3^rd Jo Jandreau
4^th Sharon Small

Ladies Breakaway

1^st Kristin Lawrence
2^nd Tomie Peterson
3^rd Sharon Small
4^th Sharon Porch

Sr. Pro Breakaway

1^st Jake Longbrake
2^nd Mark Cuny
3^rd Del Brewer

Calf Roping

1^st Terry Fischer
2^nd Dallas Louden

Century Team Roping

1^st Jake Longbrake and Frank Lawrence
2^nd Jack Brunsch and Frank Whitecalf

Bull Riding

1^st Blue Annis
2^nd Catlin Clifford
3^rd Ken Wright

Junior Barrel Racing

1^st Dale Cuny
2^nd Zoey Lawrence
3^rd Cedar Lawrence

Junior Breakaway

1^st Klay O’daniel
2^nd Cedar Jandreau

Junior Bull Riding

1^st Jake Frazier
2^nd T.C. Clifford

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL – Artists from Custer, Rapid City, Chicago and Arizona won top awards at the 20th annual Gift from Mother Earth Celebration at Crazy Horse Memorial.

The winning displays, and work being shown and sold by 22 Native American and Western artists, will be exhibited at Crazy Horse through Sunday, June 20. The Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo runs simultaneously, starting at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Richard Tucker of Custer swept all three sculpture division awards with separate pieces.

Tucker, who is in his ninth season as artist in residence at Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer State Park, said his winning bronze – “Rendezvous Bound” – also has won blue ribbons and artists’ choice awards at shows in Wyoming and Utah. It depicts the rising and pitching river trip of frontier traders, a Frenchman and a Shoshoni, on their way to an early rendezvous in the American West.

The runnerup, “The Rescue,” tells the compelling story of a Northern Cheyenne woman riding through soldiers’ rifle fire during the Battle of Rosebud Creek to save her brother. The event, witnessed by Crazy Horse, is related by Mari Sandoz in her book about the legendary Lakota war leader.

Tucker, who has exhibited art in Custer as part of the buffalo roundup in the park, won third for his racing buffalo, entitled “Running Wild.”

Family members from Ecuador, now living in Chicago, won awards in jewelry and leather categories. Meanwhile, Rapid City artisans won the prizes in the crafts competition.

The top finishers in each category were:

Beadwork

1. Margie Laughlin, Page, Ariz., Navajo basket design.
2. Mary Lou White, Indian Wells, Ariz., cat bead bracelet.
3. Liz Anderson, Sisseton, pocketbook.

Crafts

1. Deb Burckhard, Rapid City, “Buffalo Dreams” horse hair pottery plate.
2. Jan and Dana DeVille, Rapid City, windmill model.
3. Todd Ashley, Rapid City, craftsman knife.

Leather

1. Humberto Burga, Chicago, coin purse. (The only division honor awarded.)

The art show and sale in the Crazy Horse Memorial visitor complex is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Crazy Horse Memorial, located on U.S. Highway 16/385 between Hill City and Custer, is dedicated to honoring the living heritage of all Native Americans. For more information about the nonprofit Memorial, which is open every day, call 605-673-4681, e-mail memorial@crazyhorse.org.

Native American dancers, singers, musicians and storytellers are among performers presenting programs at 6 p.m. Thursday each weekly through Aug. 26 at Crazy Horse Memorial.

The schedule coordinated by cultural affairs specialist Belinda Joe features:

• June 17: Brothers Steve and Robbie Yellowhawk of Rapid City, Lakota singers and dancers who have performed in Greece, Italy, Switzerland and throughout the United States.
• June 24: Dakota Boys Drum & Dance Group, founded by Wayne Two Hawk. The young Lakota troupe from the Fort Thompson area in central South Dakota has performed at various functions for schools and community events since 2004.
• July 1: Woyatan Drum & Dance Group: Woyatan means “proud,” and the members show that in sharing their cultural heritage. Daron White Eagle leads this Rapid City-based group.
• July 8: Nellie Two Elk, a Lakota-Dakota from Mission, S.D., has shared her storytelling gift at various functions across South Dakota, and as far as Spokane, Washington, where she provided a digital storytelling performance.
• July 15: Big Bend Drum & Dance Group: Londell Seaboy, a Dakota, leads this group from the Fort Thompson area continuing his family’s heritage as accomplished singers, dancers and native language speakers who are role models for youth.
• July 22: Sophia Benally: This young singer and dancer is Dakota-Dine’ (Navajo) who entered the powwow dance circle in 2009 as a traditional dancer and youth royalty contestant. Other youth dancers will join her.
• July 29: Wakiyan & Wicahpi Cook & Wakanyeja Wacin Dancers (Hepana and Hepi Shields). Wakiyan and Wicahpi are powwow competition dancers, while Hepana and Hepi are up and coming young performers, all from Rapid City.
• Aug. 5: Del Iron Cloud, artist, is a Hunkpapa Lakota, who attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and American Academy of Art in Chicago. His unique murals are displayed in such places as the Denver International Airport.
• Aug. 12: Luis Saransig and Humberto Burga: These musicians are Kichwas Indians from South America who will demonstrate traditional and contemporary Andean music of Quechua-speaking people known for panpipes and quenas flutes.
• Aug. 19: Alton Little Solder Belt is a Hunkpapa Lakota historian and storyteller living in Rapid City.
• Aug. 26: Harriet Brings and Ailine Maea: The Oglala Lakota mother and her Lakota-Polynesian daughter will present a history and song program to the audience. Harriet Brings teaches Lakota in Rapid City Area Schools and Ailine is a college senior who is a traditional dancer and recent Native American ambassador who toured in Germany.

Crazy Horse Memorial visitors can again see the colorful “Legends in Light” laser-light show presented each night at dark.

The inspiring musical program begins at 9:30 p.m., with the “Legends” story starting at 9:45 p.m.

“Legends in Light” will show nightly through Native American Day, Oct 11, 2010.

Crazy Horse Memorial’s 20th annual Gift from Mother Earth Celebration will spotlight work by American Indian and Western artists Friday through Sunday, June 18-20. Show hours in the Memorial’s visitor center are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Friday also kicks off the 20th Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo, featuring Great Plains Indian Rodeo Association cowboys and cowgirls from South Dakota and surrounding states. Saturday and Sunday will showcase Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association action. The rodeo sessions starts at 2 p.m. each day at the Crazy Horse Memorial rodeo grounds.

Rodeo tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for children 6-13, and free to youth under age 6. Tickets to the rodeo can be purchased at the Memorial’s entrance or at the rodeo grounds. With the purchase of a rodeo ticket, admission to Crazy Horse Memorial is free, with three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care and Share Food Drive.

Ruth Ziolkowski wished for the dormitory-classroom facility for her 80th birthday, and many supporters provided funding for planning and designing. Then friends Muffy and Paul Christen in July 2009 established the $5 million Crazy Horse Centennial Fund endowment to generate annual investment earnings to fund the summer program’s operating cost.

Benefactor T. Denny Sanford, the retired banker who is sponsoring the $5 million matching grant challenge to spur development of the horse’s head on the mountain carving, followed with an amazing additional $2.5 million to build the education center.

On Saturday, June 26, “Mrs. Z” will be feted on her 84th birthday with a night blast that also will commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Celebrants attending the spectacular gala will be treated to a share of her birthday cake following the laser show and night blast.