RAPID CITY, S.D. -While teams fill The Monument for the Lakota Nation Invitational, a B-1B flyover will also be filling the sky.
The 47th annual Lakota Nation Invitational is back at The Summit Arena in Rapid City this year. Starting December 17th, the doors oopen to an array of athletic tournaments and academic events.
The cultural event is a celebration of young people who have given their best as they compete to honor their schools, families, and respected nations.
The main event is the basketball tournament bringing in teams nationwide. In addition to basketball, the event also includes wrestling, golf, track & field, and cheer-leading. In line with academic competitions, there will be kids competing in Lakota Language, Academic, and Knowledge Bowls, as well as the Hand game Tournament, Art Show, storytelling, E-Sports, and Business Competitions, and a knowledge bowl.
The 28th Bomb Wing from Ellsworth Air Force Base will conduct a B-1B flyover of the LNI on Dec. 17, showcasing its commitment to connection and involvement between the Lakota, Ellsworth Air Force Base and the U.S. military. Native Americans volunteer for military service at a significantly higher rate – five times higher than the national average.
Residents living around The Monument may hear more noise due to the flyover, which will take place at 4:15 p.m.
The 28th Bomb Wing encourages those who see the flyover to share their photos and videos on Ellsworth Air Force Base’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.
The community is also invited to attend the red carpet at the Barnett Entrance at The Monument. Athletes and competitors will line up at 4 p.m., so the public is encouraged to arrive by 3:45 p.m.
Including all the fun and games, Rapid City native Becky Hammond, professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), will be at LNI this year. She is expected to attend December 19th and 20th and will participate in the Grand Entry Friday evening.
For a full list of events, see more on line at Lakota Nation Invitational
See more history on the LNI HERE
