More of the world's tallest tipi building

Those keeping an eye on this blog may have noticed that I've been adding photos of the progress of the new Lakota Studies building every week as construction continues. Today a 22-ton crane was delivered to the Antelope Lake campus for the construction of the top of the tipi, and onlookers watched in amazement from throughout the campus as the tops of the tipi poles were put in place to crown the giant tipi. Poles from the tipi could even be seen from the Main Campus two miles away.

photos taken on August 22, 2011

photos by Mary RedOwl-Begay

There is discussion of having the new SGU Lakota Studies building measured and recorded in the 

Guinness Book of World Records for the World's Largest Functioning Tipi Building when it's complete. A larger tipi is already in place in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, with a sculpture topping 20 stories high. However, since it is not an actual building, SGU's building may qualify as the world's largest tipi-shaped building.

A large metal eagle feather sculpture will be added to the top tipi poles when the construction of this section of the building is completed. The eagle feather sculpture was designed and built by Ted Bordeaux of White River, who also plays steel guitar for many SGU functions such as Graduation, Founders' Week and the Annual Elder's Holiday Dinner. 

Sinte Gleska University's 39th Annual Commencement next weekend

Sinte Gleska University invites the families, friends and public to the 39th Annual Graduation Ceremony on Friday, August 26th, 2011, at Wakinyan Wanbli Multipurpose Student Center in Mission, SD. Ninety-three students will receive diplomas and certificates and have an eagle feather tied on at this year's ceremony. The theme of this year's graduation is Oyate, nahan, tiwahe, nahan wayawaki lena wounspe iyoglog iglubli hecapi nahan tokatakiya wicozani gluha iyuskinyan manipelo (Enhancing Individual, Family and Nation through Education and Culture.)

Graduation Day will begin with a Sunrise Ceremony at 8:00 AM on the grounds of the Wakinyan Wanbli Multipurpose Building, followed by the Purification of the MP Building. At 10:00 AM the dedication of the Business/Education Building grounds will occur east of hte MP Building. At 11:00 AM the University will conduct a Wiping of the Tears Ceremony in the MP Building gymnasium. Grand Entry for the Graduation Ceremony is at 1:00 PM.

This year Sinte Gleska University is honored to have Secretary Arne Duncan of the U.S. Department of Education and Larry EchoHawk, Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs as Keynote Speakers. Other dignitaries in attendance will be U.S. Congresswoman Kristi Noem, Director of the Bureau of Education, Keith Moore; Acting Director of the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities, Bill Mendoza; and retired Publisher and Founder of the Native Sun Times and nationally-syndicated columnist, Tim Giago.

Following the graduation ceremony a meal will be served for all those attending the graduation. Sinte Gleska University students, staff, faculty and graduates would be honored if all will attend this celebration of our graduates. Thank you for your support of Sinte Gleska University!