Lakota Nation Invitational Explained

Msize:250px
Abbreviation:LNI
Formation:1976
Type:Volunteer; Non-profit organization
Status:Association
Purpose:Athletic/Educational
Region Served:South Dakota
Membership:41 member high schools
Leader Title:Board President
Leader Name:Chuck Wilson
Num Staff:20
Website:Lakota Nation Invitational

The Lakota Nation Invitational is an annual multi-sport event tournament held each winter that began in 1976. The event takes place in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City and hosts around 40 different schools from Indian Reservations in South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska and Wyoming.[1] The event has categories including basketball, traditional Lakota hand games, knowledge and language bowls, a student art show, a business plan competition, wrestling, volleyball, cross country, archery, golf and a chess tournament.[2] [3] [4]

History

In 1976, the inaugural Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI) was held at Pine Ridge High School. The basketball tournament developed out of tensions resulting from the American Indian Movement’s occupation of Wounded Knee in 1973.[5]

In 1973, Itancan Bryan Brewer was a basketball coach at Pine Ridge School. The American Indian Movement. wanted the U.S. government to honor the treaties, which, they believed, had been broken. The occupation, which included the site of the 1890 massacre, set off an intense dispute between A.I.M. supporters and a private paramilitary group funded by the existing tribal leadership, whom the A.I.M. had accused of corruption.[6] In the three years following the seventy-one-day occupation, stabbings, shootings, and beatings related to the conflict became common, and by 1975, the impoverished Pine Ridge Indian Reservation had the highest murder rate in the United States.[7] [8] [9]

Following American Indian Movement’s occupation, Athletic directors from school districts across South Dakota refused to let their athletes play basketball with students from Pine Ridge. Itancan Bryan Brewer decided to start a tournament of his own.[10] [11]

Brewer contacted schools in other states to play in the tournament. Seven schools agreed to compete in the 1976 tournament, which packed the Pine Ridge gymnasium. Three years later, the tournament relocated to the recently constructed Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena in order to better accommodate large crowds of spectators.[12]

The tournament has seen significant growth and changes since its inception. Originally a gathering just for basketball games, the tournament now boasts a variety of events including traditional Lakota hand games, knowledge and language bowls, a student art show, a business plan competition and chess tournament.[13]

Events and coordinators

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Water, Life and Basketball: The Lakota Nation Invitational (Photo Gallery). January 3, 2017. Collins. Thosh . Indian Country Media Network. April 11, 2017.
  2. Web site: Lakota Nation Invitational brings economic boost to Rapid City. Brenna. Ramsden. December 20, 2016. ABC: Kota territory News. April 11, 2017.
  3. Web site: The Olympics of Indian Basketball. Tim. Giago. Huffington Post. December 16, 2014. April 11, 2017.
  4. Web site: Lakota Nation golf invitational features eight teams, one individual. Lance. Christensen. September 18, 2011. Lakota Country Times News. April 17, 2017.
  5. Web site: Lakota Nation Invitational: Day 1 Scores and Highlights. Justin. Wickersham. December 22, 2016. Visit Newscenter 1 Network. April 11, 2017.
  6. Web site: Hoops Dream The LAKOTA NATION INVITATIONAL honors the sports passion and culture of American Indians. Kelli. Anderson. December 22, 2003. Sports Illustrated. April 11, 2017.
  7. A NATIVE AMERICAN BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BOUNCES BACK. Jesse. Will. January 31, 2016. The New Yorker. April 11, 2017.
  8. Web site: Lakota Nation Invitational. Bruce. Tucker. December 22, 2014. South Dakota Magazine. April 11, 2017.
  9. Web site: Racial Tensions May Prompt a Move of Lakota Nation Invitational Tournament. Associated Press. March 13, 2015. New York Times. April 11, 2017.
  10. Web site: IN HISTORY: 2016 Marks 40th Anniversary of Lakota Nation Invitational. Rochelle. Rogers. December 15, 2016. Black Hills Knowledge Network. April 11, 2017.
  11. Web site: 2016 Lakota Nation Invitational Basketball Tournament. Dani. Walking Eagle. December 14, 2016. Visit Rapid City News. April 11, 2017.
  12. Web site: Lakota Nation Invitational began from racist fears. Max. O'Connell. December 14, 2016. Rapid City Journal. April 11, 2017.
  13. Web site: Todd County claims LNI wrestling championship, Standing Rock's Lester takes 152 division, outstanding wrestler award. Tom. Crash. December 22, 2016. Lakota Country Times News Network. April 11, 2017.
  14. Web site: Lakota Nation Invitational Board and Staff. Kiri. Close. December 12, 2016. The Lakota Nation Invitational. April 11, 2017.
  15. Web site: 40th Anniversary of the Lakota Nation Invitational. Lisa. Gallagher. December 12, 2016. The Sioux Empire. April 11, 2017.

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