Tankake Ki Wotapi na Taku Icupi Kte

MISSION – Several organizations, businesses and individuals collaborated to host a healthy meal, as well as gifts of food and medicine, to honor Rosebud Sioux Tribal elders.

Tankake Ki Wotapi na Taku Icupi Kte (The elders will eat and take a gift) is an annual event held for the last 3 years. This activity is sponsored by local organizations and volunteers who organize, cook and serve a healthy meal for people aged 55+ on Rosebud’s Tribal Elder Day. Elders and family members who attended were treated to a meal of Tatanka roast, sweet potatoes, carrots, salad, wild rice dessert, tea, coffee and water. The meal was served by volunteers.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe celebrates Tribal Elder Day on the 4th Friday of every May. Tribal Elder Day was initially designated an official tribal holiday in 1986, in conjunction with annual activities held to honor elders hosted by the Sicangu Elderly Concerns group. In the initial gatherings, a day of games was held for elders. Participants were then invited to Ghost Hawk Park the following day to be recognized with awards, a wacipi and a meal.

Consequently, on May 17th volunteers from the Sicangu Elderly Concerns group hosted the 38th annual Elder Games at the old St. Francis Indian School track. Outdoor events were held for attendees of all ages. Elder participants 50+ received awards. Events were held in both men and women categories.

All who attended the Tankake Ki Wotapi na Taku Icupi Kte also received a gift bundle sponsored by Lakota Made LLC, an herbal business located in Mankato, Minnesota and owned by Megan Bull Bear of the Milks Camp community. The gift bag included Elderberry infused honey, Arnica salve, dried corn and a special tea blend especially created for elders.

The Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board provided information on measles prevention for inclusion in the gift bundles. The GPTLHB also donated food for the meal. Frozen buffalo roasts were distributed to each elder in attendance following the meal. The meat was donated by the Sicangu Food Sovereignty Initiative, the WoLakota Project and Sacred Storm. The Lakota Youth Development program of Milks Camp community also donated jars of honey. Rosebud Office Solutions provided cases of Lakota Water for the dinner.

A special thank you goes out to Foster Cournoyer Hogan, Carmelita Shouldis, Megan Bull Bear, Karen Moore, Brandon Ecoffey, Marla Bull Bear, Leland Little Dog, Ken Ladeaux, Gabbie Iron Shell, Sara Swift-Fielder, Hollis Flowers, along with all the community members and youth who volunteered their time to make this awesome event happen. Nearly 100 elders attended the dinner.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe President’s office is planning an additional activity to recognize Sicangu Elders. This gathering will happen on Friday, June 20, 2025 at the Adam Bordeaux Memorial wacipi arena, located on the Rosebud Fairgrounds. Elders who attend will be recognized with a gift. A meal will be served to all who attend. For more information call the RST President’s office at 605-747-2231.