Cultural Programs Opportunities
The application process for Native American artists, performers, and culture bearers looking for opportunities to exhibit, enhance, or share their artistic talents and cultural knowledge for 2025 is now open. There are five different cultural programs that can be applied to. Click on each link to view a description and application: Artist in Residence, Living Treasures, Music- Daily Native American Performers and Storytellers, and Dance- Daily Native American Performers and Storytellers. Please email culturalprograms@crazyhorse.org for any further assistance or information.
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH - NOVEMBER
November is National Native American Heritage Month. Proclaimed by President George H. W. Bush in 1990, he "authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State, and local Governments, groups, organizations, and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremoines, and activities" to honor and celebrate all Indignous people, according to the landmark bill. Here at Crazy Horse Memorial® we are proud of our Mission to protect and preserve the culturals, traditions, and living heritage of all North American tribes every day. Please visit us at the Memorial or follow us on socail media as we share the Memorial's efforts to fulfill our Mission.
Special Events and for the Month
Nov. 1st - Nov. 15th - Artist in Residence: Iris Sully, Sicangu Lakota Doll Maker, and Bead Worker:
• Iris will be working within a public studio space in the Wall of Windows. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and visit with her or watch her process. Working hours will vary in the studio, but her artwork will continually be displayed for visitors.
Nov. 2nd, 3rd and 10th at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM - Native American Performances:
• Theater two. Visitors can expect fun, educational, and interactive performance aspects during all show times.
Nov. 2nd, 3rd, 9th and 10th - Planetarium Lakota Star Constellation
• Native American Education and Cultural Center. Presenters will include Journey Museum Education Manager Andy Thimgan and local Lakota culture bearer and artist Mike Lammers. Programs will take place throughout each day and reservations are not required.
Nov. 1st- Nov. 15th - Monday through Friday - Hands-on activities/crafts
• Welcome Center. These activities are available on a first come-first served basis, reservations are not required.
Nov. 11th, at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM - Native American Veterans Honoring Ceremony on Veterans Day
• Veteran’s Day; Free for Veterans and cars with veterans. Regular admission for everyone else.
Youth Coloring Contest: Children up to the age of 13 can color baskets. The contest will be judged, and prizes will be given to first and second-place winners in two separate categories. A PDF of coloring pages and rules can be found here but completed coloring pages must be turned in at the Memorial.
All Native American Heritage Month programs are included with admission to the Memorial, and we hope that you can celebrate with us! The Memorial is open year-round, however, and we always welcome you to celebrate Native American heritage outside of the month of November.
Daily Cultural Performances
2025 performaces scheduled to begin May 24, 2025.
Living Treasures Indian Arts Cultural Exchange
2025 Schedule to begin in May 2025.
Native artists teach and/or demonstrate the creation of artwork to visitors artwork to visitors in the Native American Educational and Cultural Center®. Between 10:00am – 6:00pm, visitors are encouraged to stop in and learn how to create the selected medium of art along with its cultural significance. Each workshop is modeled to be completed within 90 minutes
Artist in Residence
Artists work on projects in a public studio space in the Native American Educational and Cultural Center® during each one-month residency. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the studio space to visit with the Resident Artist.
Artist in Residence is completed for 2024.
Mahkoche Kin
Hosted by the Museum Team and lead by artist and Oglala Lakota College Faculty Member, Darrell Red Cloud, Mahkoche Kin teaches visitors about why Crazy Horse Memorial® is in the Black Hills and their significance to the surrounding tribal nations.
Attendees will have the chance to get “off the beaten path” and see the Black Hills through a Native perspective enriched by the cultural knowledge held by the Lakota People. The 1-hour walks take place each scheduled day at 10:00am and 2:00pm. Sign up is available in the Welcome Conter prior to each walk and participation is limited.
2024 is completed. Look for 2025 Dates.
Special Days of Remembrance
- June 26, 2025- Special Day to Remember The Battle of the Little Big Horn and Ruth Ziolkowski
This special day commemorates the dual anniversaries of The Battle of the Little Big Horn and the birth of Ruth Ziolkowski.
- September 6, 2025 - Special Day to Remember the death of Crazy Horse & Korczak Ziolkowski
This special day commemorates the dual anniversaries of the 1877 death of Crazy Horse and the 1908 birth of sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski.
The public is encouraged to visit Crazy Horse Memorial on each Special Day for a day and night of activities.
**Laughing Water Restaurant will open at 11:00 am and will close at 2:00 pm for a private reception.
HONORING THE TATANKA (BUFFALO) DAY
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Join us during Buffalo Round-Up weekend in the Black Hills as we pay tribute to the Tatanka (buffalo) and explore their importance to everyday life and culture from the perspective of Peoples of Plains. Exciting events throughout the day.
Volksmarch
Spring Volksmarch- First Saturday Only in June 2025
The Crazy Horse Spring Volksmarch (an organized hike) is a 10K (6.2-mile) woodlands walk to the world’s largest Mountain Carving in progress in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota. June 7, 2025.
Autumn Volksmarch - same weekend as Custer State Park’s Buffalo Round-Up - Sunday Only
Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation and BHVA will host the Fall Volksmarch Sunday, September 29, 2024 and will be held the same weekend as the Custer State Park Buffalo Round-Up.
Native Americans' Day
Monday, October 13, 2025 @ 10:00 AM
Celebration of Native Americans' Day 2024, we will have a program filled with song, dance, and speakers. We will also award the Educator of the Year. Don't miss this special day, This day is always one to celebrate!
Tentative Schedule
10:00 am -11:00am – Native Americans’ Day Program
11:00am - 4:00pm – Crafts & Storytelling: Various Presenters
11:00am - FREE Buffalo Stew Meal in Laughing Water Restaurant® while supplies last
12:30pm & 2:30pm – Special Performances
All programming is included with admission into the Memorial.
