Tribal Tourism in Wakpamni: Experience Culture, Horses, and Heritage

Discover the Spirit of the Lakota Nation

In the southeastern corner of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation lies Wakpamni Lake—a sacred and storied place where tradition, community, and resilience converge. As part of its economic and cultural revitalization efforts, the Wakpamni Lake Community has opened its lands and teachings to guests from around the world through immersive, community-led tribal tourism. Two unique experiences—the Feather on Head Cultural Camp and the soon-to-launch Two Lance Equestrian Camp—offer visitors a rare and respectful window into Lakota life, values, and land.

Feather on Head Cultural Camp: A Living Tradition

At the heart of Wakpamni, nestled within sacred Sundance grounds, is the Feather on Head Cultural Camp, named after the family and ceremonial lineage of respected Lakota spiritual leader Sidney Has No Horse. This camp operates when ceremonial events are not underway, offering guests the opportunity to stay in traditional Lakota tipis and engage in a meaningful cultural experience hosted by the Has No Horse family.

Unlike conventional tourism, the Feather on Head Camp offers a hands-on, spiritually respectful, and educational experience. Visitors are introduced to Lakota ways of life through:

• Traditional teachings on cultural practices and medicines
• Demonstrations of Lakota arts and craftsmanship
• Traditional cooking and gathering experiences
• Historical storytelling and evening fireside discussions

Every guest is welcomed not as a tourist, but as an honored visitor. The Feather on Head Cultural Camp provides a rustic yet deeply immersive journey into the values, relationships, and rituals that have sustained the Oglala Lakota for generations.

Community Employment and Youth Empowerment

The Feather on Head Camp isn’t just about sharing culture—it’s also about building community. The camp employs local Wakpamni residents and youth, providing jobs, mentorship, and a direct connection to the tourism industry.

Young community members help guide guests, participate in cultural presentations, and gain skills in public engagement, event hosting, and traditional knowledge-sharing. This intergenerational structure ensures the preservation of heritage while fostering economic independence.

To date, the camp has welcomed guests from around the globe, many of whom leave transformed—carrying the stories, songs, and lessons of Wakpamni back to their own communities.

The Two Lance Equestrian Camp: A New Chapter in Tribal Tourism

The Oglala Lakota people have a powerful, longstanding relationship with horses. Known historically for their horsemanship, bravery, and skilled riders, the Lakota’s bond with horses is both practical and sacred. In honor of this legacy, the Wakpamni Lake Community is proud to announce the development of the Two Lance Equestrian Camp.

This unique experience—designed for families and culturally curious travelers—will allow guests to:

• Stay in traditional Lakota tipis
• Learn basic horsemanship skills with Lakota horsemen
• Understand the spiritual role of the horse in Lakota traditions
• Participate in group trail rides across the historic lands of the reservation

Guests will explore breathtaking routes from Rainbow Valley to the Wakpamni Lakes, learning about sacred sites, seasonal migrations, and horse-related traditions passed down through generations. These rides are guided by members of the Two Lance family—one of Wakpamni’s founding lineages—who bring deep personal history and cultural insight to the experience.

Why Tribal Tourism Matters

Tribal tourism offers more than just an adventure—it’s an opportunity to engage ethically with Indigenous knowledge, support tribal economies, and deepen cross-cultural understanding. For Wakpamni, these experiences also reinforce:

• Language revitalization: Visitors are introduced to Lakota words, greetings, and songs
• Environmental education: Teachings focus on sustainable living and traditional ecological knowledge
• Economic development: Tourism revenues support community programs and youth services
• Spiritual awareness: Participants learn about the role of balance, prayer, and ceremony in daily life

Tribal tourism is not an act of spectacle—it is a sacred invitation. Visitors are asked to come with humility, curiosity, and respect. In return, they receive the rare gift of learning directly from a living, breathing Indigenous nation.

How to Visit

Those interested in staying at the Feather on Head Cultural Camp or learning more about the upcoming Two Lance Equestrian Camp can contact the Wakpamni Lake Community through the Wakaga Economic Development Group.

Group packages, private stays, and educational retreats are available throughout the spring, summer, and early fall. Each booking supports tribal self-sufficiency and helps preserve Indigenous knowledge for the next generation.

Conclusion: A Cultural Journey Awaits

Whether you're drawn to the spiritual legacy of the Has No Horse Sundance grounds or the untamed beauty of a horseback ride through Lakota lands, Wakpamni’s tribal tourism offerings are transformative. These aren’t just experiences—they are pathways to understanding.

By choosing to engage with Wakpamni as a visitor, you contribute to a vision of sovereignty, sustainability, and cultural pride that will endure for generations to come.

Visit. Learn. Listen. Ride. Respect.
The Lakota way of life is waiting to welcome you.