Overview - General Info

Aerial view of Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place

Our Mission

In 2000, Congress authorized the Wakpa Sica Historical Society (WSHS) to receive $18.2 million in grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to build the Reconciliation Place on land it placed in trust for eleven tribes of the Sioux Nation. The Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place will house an economic development center, the Tribal Judicial Support Center, the Native American Mediation Training Center, and the Sioux Nation Supreme Court. The Cultural Center will display and interpret tribal history, art, and culture.

Wakpa Sica Historical Society, Inc. / Reconciliation Place forms the centerpiece of a comprehensive effort designed to improve race relations and ecomomic conditions facing the various tribes of the Sioux Nation. The project takes a three pronged approach to addressing several important issues such as race relations, tribal justice support systems, and economic development efforts.

Over the years, the Wakpa Sica Historical Society, Inc. / Reconciliation Place has worked steadily and consistently to solicit the input of tribal leaders, tribal elders and members, community leaders and professional experts to develop the architectural, cultural, and judicial concepts that shape this project. We have held numerous public meetings in communities on each reservation and the Pierre/Fort Pierre area to incorporate the suggestions and concerns of a wide variety of people interested in the success of this effort.

Breakthrough Concept

The Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place is being built near Fort Pierre, in central South Dakota. This tribal gathering place will display and interpret tribal history, art and culture, house an economic development center, and the Tribal Judicial Support Center, Native American Mediation Training Center, and Sioux Nation Supreme Court. This multi-purpose facility will provide cultural, legal and economic development services to eleven Tribes throughout the Sioux Nation and beyond. This project is an historic opportunity for all peoples in this region.

An Idea Who’s Time Has Come

The idea for the Reconciliation Place has been a longstanding vision for many in South Dakota and has a rich history. The goal of the Reconciliation Place is to forge greater understanding and cooperation among and between indigenous tribal people and non-tribal people by honoring the historical differences of perspectives between cultures.

The Law and Funding

In December 2000, Public Law 106-568 authorized the construction of the Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place and authorized an appropriation to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for a grant to the Wakpa Sica Historical Society. In the FY02 VA/HUD conference report, Congress included an appropriation of $1,750,000 for the planning, design and construction of the Reconciliation Place through the HUD Economic Development Initiative program. In previous fiscal years we have received funding from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Justice Assistance) and the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services (Administration for Native Americans) to develop the cultural and legal components of this project.

Ongoing Roundtable Conferences

In the fall of 2001, the Wakpa Sica Historical Society, working with the University of South Dakota School of Law and our consultants, conducted a series of five public Roundtable Conferences to seek the comments and suggestions of individuals and tribes throughout the region. In January 2002, working with architects from AmerINDIAN, we conducted a workshop to review preliminary design concepts. This consultation process has been most valuable in confirming the value of tribal members working together and with non-tribal groups and individuals in a collective effort. We are building a public record of input regarding the specific future direction for the project. We will follow-up with thoughtful and culturally appropriate processes to develop and build this gathering place and the programs housed within.

The Wakpa Sica Reconciliation Place offers a tremendous possibility for all of us in the region to build a bridge of consciousness that leads to a more productive and successful relationships amongst and between cultures.

Be a Sponsor

If you wish to participate in this project, please feel free to contact us anytime. We are in the process of developing sponsorship options and are open to your ideas and suggestions.