The 45th annual Lakota Nation Invitational braves the storm to begin the first day of events

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Despite the winter storm in the area, the 45th annual Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) continued with a few shifts of the schedule.

The LNI kicked off with the wrestling tournament Tuesday morning as well as setting up the art show.

The Lakota Nation Invitational

The LNI, which started in 1976, brings together a number of athletics and activities for anyone to enjoy. It shows what Native kids’ skills are and what they enjoy.

There are actives like basketball, wrestling, the Lakota Language Bowl, chess, an art show, archery and many others.

It seems to have grown in events and people almost every year,

LNI v. COVID

LNI events were cancelled in 2020 because of COVID-19, but they returned last year in 2021.

“There was one year during COVID, we weren’t able to have a tournament and we were afraid that might be the death of LNI,” Bryan Brewer, director of Lakota Nation Invitational, said. “But we came back with the addition of the Summit that just finished. So we got back into it and that’s where last year really worked out great. This year will be even better.”

51 photos from the first day of the LNI:

Why they hold the invitational

Bryan Brewer, director of LNI:

Scott Fishel, coordinator of the LNI Art Show:

Jordan Spotted Calf, senior of Saint Francis Indian School:

List of Events:

A few of these have already adjusted because of the weather, but Brewer says that they plan to still have everything.

• Basketball starts Wednesday, Dec. 14 and lasts until Saturday, Dec. 17.
• ESports/STEAM Robotics workshops
• Lakota Language Bowls
• Business plan competitions
• Art show
• Chess tournament
• “Big Crow” movie (Thursday, Dec. 15)
• Hand Games
• Poetry Slam check in and workshop
• Poetry Salm
• Knowledge Bowl Competitions
• All Nations Football Conference Meeting
• 15th Annual Bear Jamboree
• Teca Wacipi Okolakiciya Wacipi/Powwow
• College Fair
• Archery Shooting
• Honoring and Grand Entry
  • Grand Entry – Basketball players, cheerleaders, wrestlers, officials & winners of all activities
• Veteran’s Honoring Diner
• Cheerleading competition

Two days also have special honors: Thursday wear pink in honor of Cancer Awareness Day and Friday wear red in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP).

Events could be postponed, so to stay updated on schedule changes you can visit LNI’s website here.