Kalle Benallie
ICT
On July 3, President Trump will visit Mount Rushmore, also known as the Six Grandfathers Mountain, as part of the America 250 celebration for the Fourth of July weekend.
Some tribes in South Dakota have voiced their stance. Trump previously attended a fireworks show at Mount Rushmore during his first term on July 3, 2020.
The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council passed a resolution on June 9 stating their opposition to the Mount Rushmore fireworks celebration.
“The Oglala Sioux Tribe urges its trustees, the National Park Service and National Forest Service, to cancel any fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore because of the current drought conditions and high risk of wild fires that could endanger the lives and property of tourists and local citizens (including tribal members) the Sacred Black Hills and all sacred sites,” the resolution states.
They also acknowledged the significance of the 250th anniversary of the United States but do not support the presidential visit because of the continued violation of Articles 5 of the 1877 Act which is to provide “all aid necessary for civilization.”
A few Fourth of July community events are happening on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate is hosting a 4th of July Wacipi, the tribe’s powwow and longest running annual event in South Dakota according to its website.
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and the Yankton Parks and Recreation have no events listed on their website.
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe’s newsletter, released their 2026 edition where the 250th anniversary was discussed.
“Instead of celebrating the nation’s birthday, those of us with a historical conscience should celebrate 250 years of our mutual survival and the fact that, today, we hold the power to change our future and lives of our children and grandchildren,” Francis Wakeman wrote.
Trump will deliver keynote remarks, according to Freedom 250, a Trump administration planning group. Interior Department Secretary Doug Burgum and South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden will also speak.
