Horse Spirit Society

SUNG NAGI OKOLAKICIYE is the Lakota wording for "Horse Spirit Society" a 501c3 organization on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota that supports traditional Lakota culture and values by offering horse camps to youth and visitors to Pine Ridge.

In 1998, Sung Nagi Okolakiciye, the Horse Spirit Society, began offering 3 day horse camps and rides for children of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. This was done by a staff of Lakota volunteers. We provided the horses, supplies, food, and instruction. When donations were available, we used them to increase access to more children to participate in these rides. We conduct about 3-5 camps each year, with the hope to do more, depending on available funding. More than 75 children participate each year on average and are given exposure to our traditional Lakota horse culture. We estimate that we have taught approximately 500-700 children how to ride and we have introduced them to one of our most important Lakota traditions – the way of the horse.

We also develop and participate in traditional rides designed to encourage cultural pride and a sense of community throughout the Reservation. These rides include the Crazy Horse Ride in June, started in 1998, the Ride Across Our Homeland, which was first held in the Spring of 2008 and the Bigfoot Memorial Ride which is held in December of each year and has been ongoing since 1986. On average, each of these Rides attract between 150 – 200 people every year. These rides are not exclusive to residents of Pine Ridge. We invite and encourage people from any state, country and nationality to join us as long as they do so in a respectful, supportive way.