SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — People lined up along Phillips Avenue on crisp, sunny fall day today to take in Sioux Falls’ second annual Native American Day parade.
Cade, a Native American teen from Canton, says these types of gathers are helpful to better understanding among the races. After a thoughtful pause, he said, “having more parades and just being with each other more” is a way to help build better relations among the races.
The Washington and Lincoln High School Native American clubs participated in the parade. So did the Army Junior ROTC color guard and contingent from the Flandreau Indian School, fancy dancers, drummers, and Native American dignitaries.
KELO.com News also spotted a couple of Sioux Falls City Counselors walking along with the festivities.
Many groups handed out candy to children–and adults–along the parade route north on Phillips Avenue through the heart of downtown Sioux Falls.
Though the parade was largely free of any politics, one float sponsored by a Native youth basketball team had a score: Native American Day 100, Christopher Columbus zero, portrayed by a sad face emoji.
Twenty-nine years ago, South Dakota became the first state to change Columbus Day, named after now-controversial Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, to Native American Day. The move, proposed by a Native American journalist and others, was adopted by Gov. George Mickelson as part of a Year, then Century of Reconciliation between Native Americans and whites in the state.
Sabra, a Native American woman from Mobridge attending the flag and watching her daughter participate, says the parade is important.
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“I guess it’s good to see that Sioux Falls is being a little more diverse,” Sabra said. “It’s a good thing to recognize a big part of our culture, particularly in South Dakota.
Prior to the parade, there was a prayer and blessing ceremony at Lyon Park, a few blocks south of the parade route.
(Liz Ryan, KELO.com News, contributed to this report.)
