ROSEBUD RESERVATION – The federal roadway through Todd, Tripp and Gregory counties was designated as Sicangu Lakota Code Talker Highway in honor of eight World War II veterans.
SD Senator Shawn Bordeaux originally proposed that a section of US Highway 83 be designed in memory of the World War II veterans who spoke Lakota as a code during their military service. However, that highway was already named for Vietnam Veterans. The proposal was amended to a 106-mile stretch of US Highway 18 and approved by the SD Transportation Commission in 2023.
Senator Bordeaux offered the opening remarks in two dedication ceremonies on the Rosebud reservation last week. The Senator was accompanied by officials from the South Dakota Department of Transportation to deliver the special signs. This section of Highway 18 runs through the original boundaries of the Rosebud reservation, including the Upper Cut Meat, He Dog, Parmelee, Soldier Creek, Ring Thunder, Antelope, Okreek, Ideal, Bull Creek and Milks Camp communities.
Tribal citizens and descendants of the Sicangu Lakota Code Talkers gathered in the Upper Cut Meat and Milks Camp communities for the July 12 dedication ceremonies. The Sicangu Lakota Code Talkers were represented by several family members, including relatives of Iver Crow Eagle Sr., Simon Broken Leg, Charles White Pipe Sr., Roy A. Bad Hand Sr. and Patrick McKenzie. Members of the Sicangu Lakota Warriors served as the Color Guard. They included Daryl Jones Sr., Kelly Star Chief, Harold Little Thunder and Ivan Crow Eagle. A local drum group rendered the Lakota Flag song and Veteran’s honor songs in remembrance of the late Code Talkers.
Ben Black Bear, Jr. sang a song composed for an Itancan in memory of his father-in-law Iver Crow Eagle, Sr. In addition, Senator Bordeaux acknowledged Donald Loudner Sr., a 94-year-old Korean War Veteran, who was accompanied by his daughter Donita, for attending both dedication ceremonies. Offering a welcome address at Milks Camp was Willie Bear Shield.
In 2014, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe dedicated the Annual Rosebud Fair to the memory of the Sicangu Lakota Code Talkers who served in World War II. The Sicangu Lakota Code Talkers included Clarence Wolf Guts, Iver Crow Eagle, Sr. (Wambli Kangi), Simon Broken Leg, Noah White Bird, Sr. (Cangleska Sapa), Charles White Pipe, Sr. (Wicakupi), Roy A. Bad Hand, Sr. (Tanka Wakita), Anthony Omaha Boy and Patrick McKenzie.
The following year, a Congressional Gold Medal was presented to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe at the annual Rosebud Fair to acknowledge the World War II service of the Sicangu Lakota Code Talkers. Also in 2015, family members of the eight Sicangu Lakota Code Talkers received Congressional Silver Medals during a special ceremony.
The signs are scheduled to be installed at two points on US Highway 18. One sign will be placed at the Todd-Bennett County line and another will be placed on the west end of Fort Randall Dam in Gregory County.
Sicangu News 
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