The Heritage Center

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The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School will receive $100,000 over two years to evaluate and plan for programmatic enhancements and modifications to its historic building, spurred by the comprehensive cataloging of its extraordinary collection of Native American art. The School's vast collection is unmatched in breadth, stature and quality. There are approximately 1,000 historic pieces (including moccasins, pottery, beadwork and textiles) such as the feather-adorned union high hat of Chief Red Cloud, the renowned 19th century Lakota warrior and statesman. There are also 9,000 contemporary pieces featuring early works of now well-established artists. The evaluation of the building will address operating system upgrades, expanding and creating artists work and performance spaces, and specific climate/environmental controls to better protect and display its irreplaceable artifacts, an incalculable loss to our nation's heritage if not properly preserved. Creating a physical location suitable to archive these cultural treasures is a critical priority. But the expansion of The Heritage Center at The Red Cloud Indian School is also a societal milestone. It is an opportunity for the Jesuit-sponsored institution to continue to strengthen its relationship with the Pine Ridge Reservation, actively engaging the local Lakota community in programs that foster cultural, artistic awareness, appreciation and economic development. In addition to modernizing its physical facility, The Heritage Center is also contemplating mounting traveling exhibitions of pieces from its collection to create opportunities for connection with the community-at-large.