Tribal Members Prepare For Inaugural Parade

If you plan to watch the 57th Inaugural Parade next week, expect to see some South Dakota faces.

Representatives from North Dakota tribes will walk in the parade.  Since two of the reservations extend into South Dakota, some people from this state will participate too.

At the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Headquarters, you'll find people of all ages who say they're proud to represent this area in the national parade.

"It's just the idea of being invited to participate in this inaugural parade; it's a good feeling," Dayton Sea Boy said.

Sea Boy is part of a Vietnam veterans group. That's why he'll be one of 20 from the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate tribe making the trip to Washington, D.C. Other veterans and youth from the reservation will be involved as well.

"I felt a little bit of pressure because I knew I was representing everyone around me," high school junior Misty Kohl said.

But as she prepares to jump on a bus and head to the nation’s capitol Saturday, Kohl is excited and thankful for the opportunity. So is Davonte His Law, who says he's excited to catch a glimpse of the president.

Erich Schaffhauser: Do you suppose he'll pick you out of the whole crowd?
His Law: Yes, I hope so.

The veterans plan to wear a mix of military attire and traditional native dress. Sea Boy is thankful his native culture will have a national audience during the parade.

"I think it's really important to display that at times like that," Sea Boy said.

That's one outcome members of the tribe hope for as they prepare for the historic parade, but they plan to come home with much more.

"Self-respect for myself and my family and the community I live in, my tribe," Kohl said.

Members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which stretches into Corson County, will also walk in the parade.