Families pack up and move to Rapid City for annual LNI

RAPID CITY - Cold weather, snow, scarce motel rooms and crowded stores and malls do not keep many residents of South Dakota reservations away from Rapid City during the Lakota Nation Invitational Tournament.

The 32nd Annual tournament runs Dec. 17-20 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City.

Much more than a basketball tournament, the LNI features two 16 team basketball tournaments, a larger hand game tournament, boxing, wrestling and competitions in knowledge, language, business plans, story telling and Jr. ROTC. There is an art show, two reunions, public service awards, scholarships and a cheerleading competition.

Tagging along with the Lakota Nation is the "Stress in the workplace" conference, the Lakota Nation Education conference, a Fatherhood conference and the Big Foot Conference Officials Project along with a variety of Oglala Lakota College meetings.

For the third year, the Teca Wacipi Okolakiciye will host a youth pow wow; it will be Wednesday.

How much money does LNI bring to Rapid City in food, gas, motel costs along with additional Christmas shopping? No one really seems to have a handle on just how much; is it $5 million, $10 million? Or more?

"This event just seems to have a life of its own," said Bryan Brewer, executive director of the Lakota Nation, "we are all wondering what impact hard economic times will have on the event - it just touches so many people in so many ways."

This year the new civic center addition is completed and almost all of the LNI will be under one roof.

On Friday afternoon and Saturday morning the tournament will use additional facilities including St. Thomas More high school and SD Tech college gym.