By Rich Winter

605 Sports

When John Little, PhD., director of Native recruitment and alumni engagement walked into the 2023 Lakota Nation Invitational, he did so with purpose. 

Little was looking for two high schools to play a game in Vermillion as part of the third annual Native American Heritage Day activities on Saturday, Jan. 27.

“A staff member, Julianna Benge, Native Student Advisor, (Todd County and USD Alumni) tapped me on the shoulder, pointed and said Todd County is right over there,” Little said. “I already knew (McLaughlin boys basketball coach) Ray Taken Alive so I reached out to him to see if McLaughlin would be interested in playing.”

Little approached Todd County and visited with Falcons Athletic Director and girls basketball coach Chuck Wilson. After Wilson conferred with boys basketball coach Kellan Herman the Falcons jumped at the opportunity to be part of the event. 

“We were pretty excited to be asked to play,” Wilson said. “You never know when this kind of opportunity might come around again and our kids are excited to be part of this event.” 

Todd County freshman Oniya Whirlwind Soldier brings the ball up the court during the Lakota Nation Invitational - Photo courtesy of Josh Larson, Todd County Public Relations Coordinator

Saturday marks the third year the University of South Dakota has held the event. Little said Native American Heritage Day came about after seeing similar events on a national stage.

Little, who grew up in Winner and played basketball there, has been thinking about the lack of Native American athletes in collegiate sports since 2002. 

“I remember an article from Stu Whitney (former columnist and editor for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader),” Little said. “The column pointed out that there was only one Native American student-athlete at USD, one at Augustana and one at South Dakota State. I saw that and I was so sad because I saw so much talent from Native American high school athletes.”

The number of Native American athletes that are participating in collegiate sports has jumped in the last decade. On Saturday, the University of South Dakota will honor eight female athletes of Native American descent.

Those athletes are Taylor Byerley, Caelyn Valandra-Prue, Tori DePerry, Matayah Yellowmule, Jade Ecoffey, Zena Aragon, Morgan Sullivan and Meleya Dominguez. 

Photo courtesy of the University of South Dakota

Former Rapid City Central athlete Mataya Yellow Mule (Oglala Lakota) had this to say about her experience at the University of South Dakota.

“Competing at the Division I level means I am walking through this journey with not only myself, but my mom, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, nephews and nieces,” said Yellowmule. “They all walk with me through this – even the ones who are no longer here.”

Events have been taking place on the USD campus all week. While basketball is the draw, exposing Native American students to a welcoming collegiate environment is also part of the big picture. Saturday morning will kick off with a resource fair and tour of the Native American Cultural Center. Then, students from McLaughin and Todd County and numerous other schools will be welcomed by Native Student Services faculty and staff and listen to a presentation from USD Admissions. Prospective students will also hear from current USD students, tour campus and have lunch. 

Olympic Gold Medalist Billy Mills(10,000 Meters - 1968) spent about an hour talking with Mataya Yellow Mule, Taylor Byerley, Jade Ecoffey and Caelyn Valandra-Prue - Photo by Pat Mills.

McLaughlin principal Lisa Taken Alive says the school and the entire community is excited and honored to be part of such an amazing event. 

“It makes me think of something my father-in-law Hank Taken Alive said in a staff meeting before he retired,” Lisa Taken Alive said. “He said ‘They can’t be what they can’t see.’ ”

Since that staff meeting McLaughlin has made it a goal to show students things they normally don’t see on the reservation. Taken Alive said her staff works hard on thinking up college trips and experiences for our students.

“We brought a large group of upperclassmen to the USD campus in the fall and now coming back is like completing a circle,” Taken Alive said. “For the first time in a while we have former Mustangs attending USD and there will be more Mustangs coming this fall.” 

Todd County Assistant Principal, Mike Hammer said the trip for the Todd County kids is an important experience. 

“Some students have never beoen east of Winner nor stayed in a hotel or even traveled,” he said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for all of these students.”

Following the morning activities participants and fans will still have a full day. 

In the afternoon, USD women’s basketball faces Kansas City for the Native American Heritage Day basketball game at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. Before the start of the game, USD's current Native student-athletes will be honored and the Lakota Flag Song will be performed. Halftime will feature a recognition of Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills and a performance by the USD Drum Group and dancers.

Following the USD and Kansas City game, Todd County High School (Rosebud Reservation) and McLaughlin High School (Standing Rock Reservation) will play a double header, featuring match ups between both the boys and girls varsity teams.