Giago Says Education Needed On Origin Of Holiday

Long-time journalist Tim Giago worries that the meaning of Native American Day will be lost without education by schools and the media.

Giago says events such as the Black Hills Pow Wow have played an important role and great strides have been made, but more work is needed.

Giago in 1989 wrote an editorial suggesting the state of South Dakota commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Wounded Knee Massacre with a year of reconciliation.

Then-governor George S. Mickelson took notice. Mickelson proclaimed 1990 as the year of reconciliation, and the Legislature voted to have Native American in lieu of Columbus Day.

Giago says Mickelson saw it as an opportunity to improve the race relations between Native Americans and whites, something his father considered his greatest challenge.