Rock Creek VJ Day Celebration

The Rock Creek VJ Day Celebration in Bullhead, SD, is a remarkable event. For 79 years (missing only the COVID year of 2020), this village of approximately 300 on the Standing Rock Reservation has been remembering and commemorating the end of WW II with a particular focus on honoring veterans. The three-day traditional Lakota wacipi, or powwow, is held the second weekend in August. I've attended at least portions of it nearly every year since 2008 and have always felt lucky just to be there.

I've also done a few things in recent years to support the event and community, usually involving youth baseball/softball activities in the week leading up to the powwow. This year I asked Standing Rock artist Gilbert Kills Pretty Enemy to create a design for a t-shirt. The result is included above and in conjunction with reservation radio station KLND, which will be broadcasting the Opening Ceremony, we're planning to give away 78 t-shirts to honor the community and event.

So I'm asking people to buy a t-shirt for $50. I honestly think it's a good deal. You'll receive something that recognizes or acknowledges an

authentic slice of Native Americana, and you'll also be donating one t-shirt to the powwow.

This will be a limited edition of 78 t-shirts for folks outside Standing Rock. They'll be available in 4 colors - red, yellow, black, or white. Donors should message me privately about size and color preference as well as shipping address. I'll have to see how this goes before I place a final order. They probably will not ship till the second week in August.