Native American tours- discover Native America's authentic culture & history day tours

In South Dakota and Nebraska

from our center at the Prairie Edge Trading Post and Gallery, Rapid City, SD.

PAHA SAPA - THE BLACK HILLS

(with hike)

Begin by entering He Sapa Wakan - the Heart of Everything That Is - the sacred Black Hills, holy land of the Lakota people. At Wind Cave, the place of the Lakota genesis to learn the real story beyond the mainstream geology presented to tourists; how the trickster Inktomi first convinced humans into coming above ground. At the Place of the Thunders - Hinhan Kaja Paha known as Harney Peak ascend to the the highest point in the Black Hills upon which Black Elk experienced much of what embodied the story of his life as told in Black Elk Speaks.

PAHA SAPA -THE BLACK HILLS

(vehicle only, no hike)

Explore the Lakota genesis point at Wind Cave then seek out Tatanka - the buffalo, and in sight of one of the last free herds of buffalo explore the physical and spiritual significance of the buffalo to the Lakota people. Spend time in the 73,000 acre State Park area that was named for Custer when his expedition first discovered gold in 1874, and understand the significance of the area to the Lakota people - its first inhabitants. This area is home to freely roaming antelope, buffalo, deer and wild sheep, so take your camera and binoculars.

PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION TOUR

With your guide, travel to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and with sensitivity and respect hear in situ some of the history and culture of the Oglala Lakota people. You will visit Pine Ridge Agency and learn about the workings of tribal governance, you have chance to tour the Heritage Center at Red Cloud School and admire the beautiful crafts of the Lakota. The true story of the Wounded Knee Massacre is told and you will leave the reservation knowing much of the real history and the contemporary realities for Lakota people today.

DANCES WITH WOLVES

Dances With Wolves is possibly the best loved Native American movie, and although some dissent that despite its Lakota setting it was really just another white love story, we can’t agree. It brought the world’s attention to the Lakota people and focused on the beauty of the land and the culture. Much of it was shot in South Dakota so if it was your favorite movie, come with us and we’ll give you more background and perspective. Visit the site of the filming of the winter scenes from the movie too! The spectacular a-seasonal Spearfish Canyon; as colorful as it is old was immortalized by scenes in the movie and our visit is sure to bring images of Wind in his Hair (Rodney Grant) on horseback high on the ledges of the sheer canyon wall. You may also opt to visit Cisco – Kevin Costner’s horse in the movie.

THE BLACK HILLS EXPEDITION HISTORY TOUR (w/ short hike)

Your guide will lead you to French Creek in the seventy-three thousand acre State Park area that was named for Custer when his historic expedition first discovered gold in 1874 and the immortal phrase ‘Boys, I think we found gold’ forever changed life for the Lakota and many other tribes. Hear of the significance of the area to the Lakota people - its first inhabitants - and the impact of gold mining both in old times and now. This area is home to freely roaming buffalo, antelope, deer and wild sheep, so take your camera and binoculars!

MATO PAHA - BEAR BUTTE

Visit Mato Paha - Bear Butte area and witness with respect one of the most sacred sites on the Northern Plains. Hear tribal explanations and centuries old wisdom as you stand at Bear Butte Lake, before the sacred mountain. Although hiking trails are available for the general public, Native American Tours purposely does not use them - here's why; through the summer ceremonial period Lakotas and Cheyennes are in ceremony ‘on the hill’. You will learn more standing by our guides for tribal interpretation than you could standing by those in prayer and disturbing their private quests.

Learn about the cultural ways they practice, and walk softly on the earth so others may do the same.

MACO SICA - THE BADLANDS

The incredible landscape of Maco Sica - the Badlands - is a vast geologic wonder where erosion has carved a landscape of spectacular canyons and saw-tooth ridges to some, but to others, the Lakota, this was a place of refuge to those who knew how to survive and find the ‘Stronghold’. Hear traditional stories, learn of traditional lifeways, and wend your way through historic sites and ancient trails. Wildlife abounds even amid the barren towering, multihued precipice of sedimentary rock which stretches over 60 miles and if you are lucky you may even experience the earth-shaking movement of the badland’s buffalo - about three hundred live within the area.

WOUNDED KNEE

The site where in 1890 up to 300 Lakota men, women and children in their camp who, in the process of surrendering weapons, were shot down mercilessly. Although this cataclysmic event was probably best storied in Dee Brown’s book, ‘Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee’. you may visit the site of the massacre in respect to learn the truth of the event from our Lakota guides. The reverberations in contemporary Indian life are explained.

THE BADLANDS and the SPIRIT PRAYER

The moonscape of Mako Sika - the Badlands - is to some a barren waste; a strange but beautiful environment, but to others, the Lakota, this was a place of refuge to those who knew how to find the ‘Stronghold’ and survive. Our emphasis this day is the what people call Ghost Dance - possibly one of the most misunderstood concepts of the Lakota’s historical culture. The Lakota name of the dance actually translates to Spirit Prayer and the so-called 'Ghost Dancers' were neither trying to bring back their dead ancestors, or the buffalo, nor making themselves ‘bullet-proof’ with this ceremony. Our indigenous guides will explain and make sense of the real story as you wend your way through historic and ancient trails.

CAN'T CHOOSE?

Why not take a look at our suggested itineraries of between three to seven days, or give us a call and tell us your particular interest.

We'll custom-build your dream trip.

Native American Tours .net

In Montana and Wyoming

from our center at the Holiday Inn, Sheridan, WY.

THE LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLE

Come with us inside the village site along the Little Bighorn River as we experience the Lakota and Cheyenne perspectives, standing where Crazy Horse crossed the Little Bighorn River to meet Custer’s 7th, and then following the battle as it unfolded. We follow the story across the battlefield, learning not only of the fate of those who fought for their respective nations, but the lasting results of the battle into modern day times for the Lakota and Cheyenne peoples. Weir Point, Medicine Tail Coulee, Calhoun Hill, the Cheyenne Village - infamous places, and today you follow the footsteps of legendary figures such as Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, Gall and many others. You may also opt for the unique opportunity to actually ride on the Little Bighorn Battlefield, to truly see the terrain as these legendary warriors on each side saw it on June 25, 1876.

THE CHEYENNE CULTURE TOUR

Includes a foray into the historical and contemporary! You will visit the Chief Dull Knife College Cultural department and will also have chance to tour St Labre, a reservation mission school founded in 1886 whose visitor center, museum and Ten Bear Gallery are all wonderful showplaces of Cheyenne heritage and art. As you explore and enjoy the reservation landscape and panoramas, learn the story of ‘Charging Horse Hill’ site of the last act of Cheyenne defiance against the US government, see the Two Moons Monument and after visiting the site of Custer’s last camp, hear about the critical part played by the Cheyennes in defeating Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Lunch will be taken either at the College or the Charging Horse Casino. Think Indian Casinos are the ‘new buffalo’? Learn the real story.

THE DEER MEDICINE ROCKS

Visit one of the most important cultural and historic sites on the Northern Plains where the Great Sundance was held at the Deer Medicine Rocks just days before the impending Little Bighorn Battle. Ignore Hollywood scenes – this is your chance to learn the truth about the Sun Dance, and how Sitting Bull offered of himself and sacrificed for his people. See for yourself how, high above any man’s reach, Sitting Bull’s vision of victory at the Little Bighorn is carved in stone - the soldiers with no ears depicted in the rock, falling upside-down into the camp; signifying how they should have listened to the warnings of the Cheyenne.

CROOK & CRAZY HORSE at the ROSEBUD

Looking across the vast sweep of the field, and viewing the terrain as Crazy Horse and Crook saw it that June day, learn the military and tribal stories of the precursive battle to the Little Bighorn. June 17 went down in Cheyenne history as one of outstanding bravery – hear the story of the Fight Where the Girl Saved Her Brother; an inspirational event which still resonates in the present day culture of the Cheyenne people.

RIDE THE REZ The Reservation on Horseback

Here is an unmissable opportunity to see the reservation the old way – on horseback - with one of the best wranglers in Montana doubling as your historian and ethno-botanist. Learn about how the reservation came about, hear the stories of life in the old days, and see for yourself how life has changed for the Tsistsistas – the Northern Cheyenne.

THE MEDICINE WHEEL

Atop Medicine Mountain in the Bighorns is a stone formed Medicine Wheel. Many locals say it is a ‘great mystery’, but we know that’s only if you don’t know whom to ask! We discuss the Massaum Ceremony, “the medicine dance of the ancients,” a beautiful and integral part of traditional Cheyenne culture in which the wolf, and the “Wolf’s Lodge,” is essential to creation, to life, and renewal in the spiritual and physical. This tour involves some walking – please wear comfy shoes and take water.

THE FETTERMAN MISCALCULATION

An outstanding historical site, preserved to look almost exactly as it did that day of Dec 21st, 1866 when Captain William Judd Fetterman piled his company of 81 men over Lodge Tail Ridge in pursuit of Crazy Horse, the decoy who skillfully engineered them into a battle with the waiting Lakota and Cheyenne. Known as the site of the Fetterman Massacre, hear about the background to the fight, about the Cheyenne Contrary who foretold the result, and understand the historical details from both cultural perspectives, ad see why it would be more aptly described as the Fetterman Miscalculation. The site’s river-rock memorial inscription states there were no survivors, but that is not true – there were hundreds – they just happened to be Indian. Hear their stories!

THE WAGON BOX

Experience Powder River Country and examine Red Cloud’s War to close the Bozeman Trail. You have opportunity to see the site and understand what happened to create such problems for the Lakotas and Cheyennes as they engaged in warfare against a totally unknown enemy – repeating rifles! They may have lost the Wagon Box Fight, but they won the war and the Bozeman Trail was closed.

THE CONNOR FIGHT – EVEN THE WOMEN FOUGHT

According to Capt. Palmer, "Unfortunately for the women and children, our men had no time to direct their aim; bullets from both sides and murderous arrows filled the air; squaws and children, as well as warriors, fell among the dead and wounded." Although Black Bear’s Arapaho village was previously considered ‘non-combatant’ it sure wasn’t that day and Arapaho historians tell how even their women fought hand-to-hand in the aggressive counter attack - from which the military was saved only by its howitzers. Many died, the site is now a playground, but oral history is still strong.

THE WILD MUSTANGS

The spectacular Bighorn Canyon is an important cultural site for the Crow and Cheyenne, as well as a breathtaking natural wonder. Wild Mustangs range in the Prior Mountains that shadow the canyon, the descendents of Crow and Cheyenne pony herds from the old days. We go in search of these mustangs, survivors from the Horse Nation's proudest days. Hear their stories!