Having lived in Pennsylvania for most of my life (Joe) has defined my expectations of what a rest area on the interstate should offer: A bathroom, and if it’s clean, that’s a plus; Vending machines dispensing salty snacks, and if they take contactless payment, that’s a plus; A picnic area with tables, and if they are shaded, that is a plus; and, of course a dog walking area that should be clean because all owners pick up after their animal companions—right? ;);)

South Dakota has greatly increased my expectations of what a rest area on the turnpike can be.

At the Lewis & Clark Welcome Center at Mile Post 267, on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, stands a 50 foot tall, 12 ton sculpture by artist Dale Claude Lamphere, “Dignity of Earth and Sky.” The funding for the statue was provided by two South Dakotans in honor of the state’s 125th anniversary.

In an interview on South Dakota Public Radio, Lamphere said “I wanted something that would really honor the indigenous people of the Great Plains and I kept that in mind all the time. I made the work reflect the name that it has of ‘Dignity’, and I think that’s part of what makes it work so well.”

Three Native American women from Rapid City, South Dakota served as models for the sculpture.

While traveling in the west, it is hard to escape noticing how poorly the United States Government treated Native Americans during the 1800’s: Broken treaties, land stolen and tribes forcefully relocated. Time and time again there was a wholesale disregard for the rights of Native Americans. Malipíya Lúta (also known as Red Cloud) said “They made us many promises, more than I can remember, but they never kept but one; they promised to take our land and they took it.“

So it was truly refreshing to see this impressive statue celebrating the Lakota and Dakota people. The statue was funded by Norm and Eunabel McKie of Rapid City who wanted to honor these Native peoples, and it was completed and installed in 2016. Certainly not enough, but at least a start…