Twenty-four counties and three Indian reservations across South Dakota were impacted by a severe winter storm over the 2016 Christmas weekend causing power outages and damage to the local infrastructure. On the Lake Traverse Reservation, the storm damaged one of four 14-foot fiberglass drumsticks and its anchoring base located on the rooftop of an educational building. The building on the Sisseton Wahpeton College campus is uniquely designed as the sculptured fiberglass figures face the cardinal directions.
The reservation is home to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (SWO) Tribe (Isanti or Santee Dakota people), and extends across seven counties, two in southeastern North Dakota and five in northeastern South Dakota.
Sculpture Design and Building Details
The building’s defining architectural elements are in the shape of four Native Americans singing and drumming in traditional Sioux fashion. The sculptures are officially referred to as the “Song to the Great Spirit” and have gained regional prominence. The figures, known locally as the “Drummers” are also functional: containing stairwells, an elevator, and storage. Built in 2005, the two-story, 12,500 sq. ft. octagonal building was and designed as a monumental work of “sculptural architecture” resembling a large drum. The rooftop is one of the largest open spaces in the area and can accommodate approximately 300 people.
The building has been described by others as the most culturally relevant building in the northern Plains. Sisseton Wahpeton college was established in 1979 and is recognized for the study and preservation of tribal culture.
About the Artist
Victor Runnels (Isnala Wica (Only Man), 1935-2017) was born on the Pine Ridge Reservation, and was well known for his work with Native American student art projects in Bureau of Indian Affairs and other tribal schools.
Mr. Runnels was a part of the Urban Indian Relocation Program, a U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs undertaking started in the early 1950s encouraging Native Americans to move off reservations and into larger cities across the country for training and employment. He subsequently studied at Chicago’s Ray-Vogue School of Design and the American Academy of Art.
Outcome: How EHP Supports Tribal Partnerships
Representatives with SWO Tribe proposed using a specialized contractor for the repairs that met reimbursement eligibility for FEMA disaster recovery funding.
Although the building does not meet the age standard for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, and the proposed (in-kind) repairs otherwise fit within the allowances of the Programmatic Agreement in place with the tribe since 2016,
EHP worked with the Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) during consultations due to the unique cultural significance of the building and its iconic importance to the tribe. During a review, EHP considers any impacts to historical and cultural resources. While providing guidance, EHP ensured any work followed 29 different environmental regulations including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Other laws that may pertain to our work with tribes include the Archaeological Protection Act (APA).
The importance of repairing this unique element of “sculptural architecture” was fully recognized by the EHP advisors. The sculpture was repaired and restored to its pre-disaster condition. The collaboration stands as a notable example of federal and tribal partnership among FEMA and the SWO Tribe.