As 600 people gathered at Crazy Horse in a mix of Army issued camouflage and traditional Sioux regalia Sunday, it was clear more was being celebrated than a helicopter.
The ceremony in view of the famous Lakota chief Crazy Horse brought together representatives from four South Dakota tribes, National Guardsmen and veterans to commemorate the arrival of new light-utility helicopters named in honor of the Lakota nation.
Maj. Gen. Timothy Reisch, adjutant general of the South Dakota National Guard, signaled that the commemoration was a step toward continued cooperation and partnership with the Sioux Tribes within the state.
He pointed out that although Native Americans make up 9 percent of the state’s population, they account for just 3 percent of the state’s Guardsmen. Six weeks after taking over as the Guard’s new leader, and pledging to increase the number of Native Americans in the force, Reisch said the event would foster the relationship and “make our high-quality organization even better.”
 “The fact we now have an aircraft named Lakota is truly significant,” Reisch said. “The Army took particular note of the Lakota legacy as stalwart defenders of their homeland when considering what to name this aircraft and I firmly believe that they got it right.”
The Army has a long-standing tradition of using Native American names for its helicopters and chose Lakota for the nationwide production of the $5.4 million, four-bladed aircraft. Officials are midway through receiving 345 aircraft through the contract that will continue through 2017, replacing other light helicopters like the UH-1H Iroquois and the OH-58 Kiowa.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard, who acts as commander in chief of the South Dakota National Guard, explained that the new helicopters would be used for medical air ambulance evacuations, rescue airlifts and other domestic missions in the fleet.
“The ancestors of the Lakota Tribe here were fierce defenders of their homeland and well known for their mobility, firepower and endurance. That’s why naming this helicopter Lakota is so appropriate,” Daugaard said. “One of its missions is the fierce defense of our homeland with great mobility, firepower and endurance.”
In 2006, Oglala Sioux Tribe Chief Joe Red Cloud helped deliver permission to use the Lakota name for the UH-72A line of helicopters as they rolled off the assembly line in Mississippi. He appeared at the ceremony Sunday to see the process completed, acknowledging it as a step toward greater relations with the Guard.
Representatives from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe gave unanimous approval of the name at a meeting in 2006, said Rodney Bordeaux, president of the tribe.
“This is a proud day for all,” Bordeaux said. “It’s fitting to have the ceremony at Crazy Horse Mountain in the spirit and honor of one of our greatest warriors. You should be proud of it, and we hope it serves you well.”
Bordeaux said the tribes requested to have a spiritual leader conduct a blessing of the first helicopter in Mississippi. Another blessing was performed Sunday, by Roy Stone, a spiritual leader.
Stone circled one of the helicopters displayed at the monument and tied an eagle’s feather to it during the passionate prayer session with drumming and singing.
Guard representatives also unveiled the official patch of the new Delta Company, 1/112th Aviation Company that will host the four helicopters. It bears the words “Wiconi Un Kiya” which translates to “fly for life” or “life flight.” It includes symbolic colors and two feathers that represent honoring and protecting the injured.
Congresswoman Kristi Noem and her family attended the event where she said she hoped to continue learning from the state’s Native American culture and building relationships. She called the partnership between the Guard and tribes a “great honor” that will be a “testament to our children and grandchildren.”
The partnership represents a new unity between the Guard and the reservations, said Bob Pretty Boy of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, adding the helicopters will provide a great service to the rural parts of the state.
“It’s impossible to get to some of these places and there also are some people that get lost in these areas,” Pretty Boy said. “It’s a good presentation of unity. We’ve sort of been a forgotten people and this is recognition of notoriety and a very good thing.”
Contact Nick Penzenstadler at 394-8415 or nick.penzenstadler@rapidcityjournal.com.
Members from the Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Group attended the Dedication of the Lakota LUH72a Helicopters at Crazy Horse Mountain on Sunday, May 15, 2011. Those who attended are Basil Heth, Francis “Stub” Wakeman Jr., Martin Bernard, Randy Bernard, Scott Anderson, Sam Allen and Ben Cadotte.
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