The Sun Dance endures as the spiritual center of the Lakota ceremonial year. To understand South Dakota is to sit with the heritage of the people who shaped it.

The multi-day ceremony centers on sacrifice, prayer and renewal for the community.

What sets it apart

It was banned by the federal government for decades before its open revival. It is the kind of specific that turns a passing curiosity into a lasting fascination.

Participants prepare through fasting and guidance from spiritual leaders.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern plains and the people drawn to them. It is a heritage still very much alive in the communities and gatherings of today's South Dakota.