Tribal Nations: Oceti Sakowin Passport
Expiration: 365 days after purchase
Taŋyáŋ yahípi / Welcome!
Rich, living Native American culture awaits your discovery in South Dakota. So do prizes.
Let the Tribal Nations Passport expand your horizons! This free, mobile-exclusive passport will take you on a journey filled with art, music, history, culinary delights, and more. From state and national parks and powwows to Native-owned businesses across South Dakota, this passport will be an adventure in immersion at your own pace.
No cost. No app to download. Just easy-to-access culture, adventure and chances to win prizes – and make some memories along the way.
Included Venues
See locations on an interactive map.
Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center
The Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain is a tribute to the Sioux nation and offers visitors a rare and fascinating glimpse into the Lakota culture. Thousands of people worldwide have been captivated by the unparalleled style, scale, and richness of the facility and its displays of Lakota life – both past and present.
Badlands Quilting
For the Lakota people, a star quilt (wičháȟpi owíŋža) represents honor and generosity. To give one is a sign of respect, honor and admiration. At Badlands Quilting in Martin, SD, every star quilt is a hand-crafted artistic creation from the hearts, hands and minds of local artisans. Whether you’re looking for a custom star quilt or looking for fabric for your own creation, Badlands Quilting is the place for authenticity and quality.
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Bear Butte State Park
Discover the stories that make South Dakota extraordinary! Tune into the Travel South Dakota Stories Podcast featuring Bear Butte State Park. Start listening today: https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/podcast.
This geological formation is one of several intrusions of igneous rock in the Black Hills that formed millions of years ago. The mountain is sacred to many Native American tribes who come here to hold religious ceremonies. The park is located near Sturgis in western South Dakota and offers hiking, camping, fishing and boating opportunities.
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Black Elk Peak
Rising 7,242 feet above sea level, Black Elk Peak is the highest point in the U.S. east of the Rockies. The journey to the summit offers breathtaking views of the Black Hills, granite spires, and pristine forests. Named after the Lakota spiritual leader Black Elk, this hike is more than a climb—it’s an experience of connection, reflection, and boundless discovery.
Black Hills Powwow
The 2023 Black Hills Powwow is slated for October 6-8 at Summit Arena at the Monument (formerly Rushmore Plaza Civic Center) in Rapid City. Known as one of the premier American Indian cultural events in the United States, The Black Hills Powwow attracts hundreds of dancers, singers, artisans and thousands of spectators. In addition to the powwow, spectators can enjoy a fine arts show, He Sapa Win pageant, wellness symposium for youth, and tournaments for hand games, softball, golf and archery.
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Crazy Horse Memorial
Discover the stories that make South Dakota extraordinary! Tune into the Travel South Dakota Stories Podcast featuring Crazy Horse Memorial at travelsouthdakota.com/podcast.
Located in the heart of the Black Hills of western South Dakota, Crazy Horse Memorial is the world's largest mountain carving in progress. When completed, the depiction of the great Lakota warrior will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high. Crazy Horse Memorial is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, with funding being provided by admission to the memorial and private donations. The purpose of the project is to protect and preserve the culture and living heritage of all North American Indians.
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Dakota Drum Company
Dakota Drum Company in downtown Rapid City specializes in Native American art, including buffalo rawhide drums, hand-painted by Lakota artist Sonja Holy Eagle. Known for their traditional buffalo hide drums made from hand-scraped buffalo rawhide with cottonwood frames, as well as one-sided drums, they pride themselves on the quality of products and Native American art. Dakota Drum Company also carries hide paintings by Sonja, along with traditional beadwork and quillwork done by artists from the Cheyenne River, Pine Ridge, and Rosebud Reservations. You can also find beautiful buffalo robes, sweetgrass, and sage, along with many other traditional arts.
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Dakota Plains Gallery & Gifts
The Dakota Plains Gallery & Gifts in downtown Chamberlain provides a venue for artists to showcase and market their work. The gallery also features artists who provide gallery talks, cultural classes, storytelling and author signings. The Dakota Indian Foundation is a non-profit organization that created the Dakota Plains Gallery for the purpose of promoting economic development for local tribal artists. Every purchase is a donation toward academic scholarships and grants that preserve Dakota culture.
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Devils Tower National Monument
Rising 867 feet above rolling prairies just 40 miles west of the South Dakota border, this legendary geological wonder is sacred to several tribes and served as the backdrop to Steven Spielberg’s 1977 “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.” Scale rocks at the base of the tower (or keep climbing, if you’re prepared), hike the area, view the stars, and camp at this one-of-a-kind wonder.
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Dignity: of Earth & Sky
Standing tall above the Missouri River, the Dignity: of Earth and Sky statue is a breathtaking tribute to the strength and wisdom of the Lakota and Dakota people. This 50-foot-tall sculpture, adorned with a star-quilt design, honors the Indigenous cultures of South Dakota while welcoming travelers with grace and beauty. Pause here, take in the view, and feel the spirit of the land.
Good Earth State Park
Southeast of Sioux Falls, Good Earth State Park is an important cultural and historical site as well as a unique nature retreat adjacent to the most developed and populated part of the state. The site itself is one of the oldest sites of long-term human habitation in the United States. The most recent addition the state park system, Good Earth offers prime opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, picnicking and snowshoeing.
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Lakota Youth Development - Tipis Stays
Located on the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Reservation, Lakota Youth Development is a statewide, non-profit, grassroots organization serving persons residing on and off the lands of the tribal nations in South Dakota. In addition to youth programs, Lakota Youth Development offers cultural heritage tourism in the form of lodging (tipis, tent sites and a bunkhouse) and cultural activities (historical tours, traditional Lakota games, dance performances, make-and-take cultural arts projects, native sports and more).
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Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village
Travel back 1,000 years at the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village! Explore the only open-to-the-public archaeological site in South Dakota, watch archaeologists uncover treasures, tour the Boehnen Memorial Museum, and try arrowhead hunting and spear-throwing for a day of ancient adventures!
Native West Trading Company
The Native West Trading Company strives to create an outlet for local artists to market their work. sentence 2: Their mission is to assist you in learning about the Great Plains Native cultures, help you add an authentic piece to your collection, and share knowledge and appreciation of Native American art. Located in heart of the Badlands in the town of Interior, the Native West Trading Company is your source for a variety of Native American art, crafts, gifts and more.
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Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center
Take in wildlife exhibits, art displays, and centuries of Lakota art at the Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. Located just west of Kyle, the center also features a comfortable seating area perfect for enjoying enlightening films on Lakota artists. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Sica Hollow State Park
Located 15 miles northwest of Sisseton in the northeastern corner of South Dakota, Sica Hollow State Park is a place filled with rugged beauty and ancient mysteries. The park, part of the Prairie Coteau Hills, offers a wide variety of year-round activities and is the source of many eerie Native American legends. Hiking, camping and horseback riding are all enjoyed in this scenic park.
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Sicangu Heritage Center
Since 1989, this log building has been the central repository and archive for the Rosebud Sioux Nation. Wander amongst the historical exhibits that show the growing, living culture of the Sicangu people, including the story of how they became known as the Burnt Thigh Nation. The center is located on the campus of Sinte Gleska University and admission is free.
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Singing Horse Trading Post
Singing Horse Trading Post is located on the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation and specializes in quality Native craft, including fine arts, quill work, star quilts, leather craft, bone/antler jewelry, beadwork and more. There is also a bed and breakfast with rooms, cabins and camping that all provide an exciting experience for those wishing to visit the reservation. Tours, horseback adventures and educational opportunities are all easily arranged.
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Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate 4th of July Powwow
The pageantry and passion of this annual event have made it the oldest powwow in South Dakota – and the second-oldest in the nation. Enjoy a rodeo, crafts, art & food vendors, a softball tournament and, of course, the dancing, regalia and music that make this one of the premiere events in the country.
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Memorial Park
Located on the beautiful grounds of the former Tekakwitha Orphanage, this park pays tribute to the Native American children that once lived there. Enjoy the walking path, playground area, basketball & volleyball courts, skate park, and four picnic canopies throughout the park. Make a night of it or longer at one of four RV pads equipped with electricity, water and sewer hookups.
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Sitting Bull & Sakakawea Monuments
The Sitting Bull and Sakakawea Monuments stand in a remote spot near SD Highway 1806, two miles southwest of Mobridge, overlooking the Missouri River. Although there is some contention, many believe this to be the final resting place of Native American spiritual and social leader, Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull's Monument was sculpted by Korczak Ziolkowski, known for Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills. The Sakakawea Monument was created with funds raised by Mobridge school children in the 1920s.
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Sitting Bull Visitor Center
Take a fascinating look into culture on the campus of Sitting Bull College just 13 miles north of the North/South Dakota border. The visitor center features workshops ranging from traditional food preparation to the processing of buffalo hide. The center is also home to the Standing Rock Tribal Tourism office, which offers individualized tours on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Spirit Mound Historic Prairie
Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark when you visit Spirit Mound Historic Prairie. Spirit Mound has a rich variety of prairie wildflowers and grasses and is home to fritillary butterflies, birds and many other prairie animals.
Spirit of the Circle Monument
The Spirit of the Circle Monument was created to honor the 1,300-plus people that died on the Crow Creek reservation in South Dakota after a forced relocation. Located on the top of Big Bend Dam in Fort Thompson, the monument features a multicolored walkway -resembling a medicine wheel - with 13 flags. It all combines to provide a place for contemplation at a monument that honors the dead while celebrating the resiliency and strength of Native people.
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The Heritage Center at Mahpiya Luta
The Heritage Center is a Native American gift shop, cultural center, and fine arts gallery, with one of the most impressive collections of historic and contemporary Native art in the country. It is located on the Red Cloud Indian School campus, a beautiful, one-hour drive southeast of Hot Springs. This fantastic display of culture and history is not to be missed! Admission to The Heritage Center Gift Shop and Gallery is free and is open daily, Memorial Day -Labor Day. Campus tours are $12 per person or $200 for a group with 14 or more people and are offered Monday-Friday year-round. See the annual Art Show from June through August.
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Ubetcha Wateca
Ubetcha Wateca, in Eagle Butte, strives to use only the freshest and healthiest ingredients they can find! Their burgers are made with locally sourced grass-fed DX beef, and they take much pride in being the only restaurant on the reservation to use all eco-friendly food containers. Come experience this Indigenous owned, family restaurant today.
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Wind Cave National Park
Some Native Americans believe Wind Cave contains a portal to the spirit world. Behold the majesty of the first cave to be designated a national park. Wind Cave National Park features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations along with 33,970 acres of forest and prairie on the surface that act as a natural sanctuary for wildlife. American bison, prairie dogs, pronghorn, deer, elk and more roam the park above the cave itself. Animal lovers know this area in southwestern South Dakota as a prime spot to encounter critters any time of the year.
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