Lakota Nation Invitational facts for kids
The Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) is a big yearly sports and learning event. It happens every winter and started in 1976. The event takes place in Rapid City, South Dakota at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
Around 40 different schools from Native American reservations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming come to compete. The LNI includes many activities like basketball, traditional Lakota hand games, knowledge contests, and language challenges. There's also a student art show, a business plan competition, wrestling, volleyball, cross country, archery, golf, and a chess tournament.
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| Abbreviation | LNI |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1976 |
| Type | Volunteer; Non-profit organization |
| Legal status | Association |
| Purpose | Athletic/Educational |
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Region served
|
South Dakota |
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Membership
|
41 member high schools |
|
Official language
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Lakota, English |
|
Board President
|
Chuck Wilson |
|
Staff
|
20 |
| Website | Lakota Nation Invitational |
History of the LNI
The first Lakota Nation Invitational happened in 1976. It was held at Pine Ridge High School. This basketball tournament started because of some difficult times in the early 1970s.
In 1973, Itancan Bryan Brewer was a basketball coach at Pine Ridge School. After a period of disagreements, some schools in South Dakota did not want their athletes to play basketball with students from Pine Ridge. Coach Brewer decided to create a new tournament.
He reached out to schools in other states. Seven schools agreed to play in the first tournament in 1976. The Pine Ridge gymnasium was completely full of excited fans. Just three years later, the tournament moved. It went to the new Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena. This larger venue could hold all the big crowds.
The LNI has grown a lot since it began. It started as just a basketball event. Now, it includes many different activities. These events celebrate sports, culture, and learning.
Who Helps Make the LNI Happen?
Many people work hard to organize the Lakota Nation Invitational. Here are some of the key people who help make this amazing event possible each year:
- Event Founder: Itancan Bryan Brewer
- Board President: Chuck Wilson
- Lakota Language Bowl Coordinators: Philomine Lakota and Peter Hill
- Announcers Coordinator: Tiny DeCory
- Ads/Sponsorships Coordinator: Tonya Whirlwind Soldier
- Basketball Coordinator: David Dolan
- Activities Coordinator: Karla Cuny
- Student Workshop Coordinator: Dayna Brave Eagle
- Archery Competition Coordinator: Mike One Star
- Knowledge Bowl Coordinator: Yamni Jack
- Handgames Coordinator: Roger White Eyes
- Cheer Competition Coordinator: Jenifer Gayton Bowman
- Poetry Slam Coordinator: Brandie Macdonald
- Youth Business Plan Coordinator: Angela Koenan
- Art Show Coordinator: Michael Poland
- Chess Competition Coordinator: Aries Yumul
- Lakota Ways/SongFest Coordinator: Kiri Close
- Golf Competition Coordinator: R. Ben Bordeaux
Images for kids
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Students competing in the Lakota Nation Invitational Chess Tournament.
