History on the Lawn – Wakíŋyaŋ Pȟéta Thiwáhe Čhaŋgléška Wačhípi (The FireThunder Family Hoop Dance Presentation)

DEADWOOD – Deadwood History, Inc. and the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission will host a presentation by Alex FireThunder and family at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Historic Adams House, 22 Van Buren Street, Deadwood. The event is free for members and $5 for non-members. Please bring a lunch and a chair. In case of inclement weather, the lecture will be moved to the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center (HARCC). 

Alex and Camille FireThunder, along with their two sons and daughter, will present on the hoop dance, including its history and meaning amongst their family as well as among the Lakota/Dakota people. Alex will bring his drum and will be singing live for the rest of the family to dance to the heartbeat of the drum. When not dancing, the children will likely join him in singing both traditional and contemporary Lakota/Dakota songs. In addition to the hoop dance, they will share various aspects of Lakota/Dakota history, language, and culture with the aim of building bridges and strengthening human connections.

Alex FireThunder is the executive director of the Lakota Language Consortium.  As an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, FireThunder brings a wealth of experience to his role, holding a BSW in Social Work, MA in Lakota Leadership, and a Lakota Language Certificate from Oglala Lakota College.  A seasoned educator, he taught Lakota for four years at Little Wound School and has been a vital part of the Lakota Language Consortium since 2017.  A musician and Native American Music Awards award-winning song composer, he founded Hoyeya, a platform for promoting Lakota language content.   FireThunder believes in the transformative power of language in shaping a strong Lakota identity. 

History on the Lawn is co-sponsored by the Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, Deadwood History, Inc., Deadwood Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Black Hills Pioneer, and the Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel & Gaming Complex.                                                       

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Deadwood History, Inc. preserves and presents the history of Deadwood and the Black Hills through exceptional places, interactive exhibits, and engaging events.

Adams Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, Historic Adams House, Homestake Adams

Research and Cultural Center, The Brothel Deadwood, and Fassbender Photographic Collection.