Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation

Programs: Crazy horse memorial foundation is fulfilling its mission by carving the world's largest sculpture of lakota leader crazy horse(tasunke witco; c. 1840-1877)riding his steed out of the granite of the black hills (he sapa)gesturing forward as he proclaims, "my lands are where the dead lie buried. " the sculpture is to be a fitting symbol honoring the indigenous peoples of north america and for all humanity. Lakota elders chose crazy horse as the native american to represent their vision because crazy horse was a great and patriotic hero. Crazy horse is remembered and revered for his skill in battle, his character and loyalty, and for his dedication to his personal vision of service to his people and the preservation of their valued culture. (further explanation is included in schedule o) the colossal mountain carving will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high when complete. Crazy horse's completed head currently stands 87 feet and 6 inches high. Comparisons to other famous landmarks provide perspective, for example, the statue of liberty is 305 feet tall, the washington monument is 554 feet and 7 inches high, and the great pyramid of giza in egypt stands 455 feet tall. The current phase of the work is carving crazy horse's hand, hairline, right shoulder, and part of the horse's mane and head. The mountain crew uses labor-intensive techniques for this delicate phase of carving. The changes on the monumental sculpture are becoming more and more visible from the visitor center, which is about one mile away. Crazy horse memorial is an active mountain carving site and a modern wonder of the world. At first it may seem that the great carving is the whole point of crazy horse memorial foundation. The carving is certainly central as a marvel of landscape, art, and engineering, but the shared vision to honor and preserve the culture of american indians involves far more. Crazy horse memorial foundation is not merely an enduring tribute, but also a living memorial educating all who encounter it. The educational and cultural programs and activities of crazy horse memorial foundation's indian museum of north america, native american and educational cultural center, and the indian university of north america bring to reality the memorial's educational and humanitarian purpose. The indian museum of north america is home to an extraordinary collection of art and artifacts reflecting the diverse histories and contemporary cultures of the american indian people throughout north america. The museum was officially dedicated on may 30, 1973, and it has grown since its humble beginnings. Exhibits are currently chosen from over 11,000 accessioned pieces of art and artifacts representing native cultures throughout north america. From may through october, the indian museum of north america and the native american eduational and cultural center come alive with native artists, music, dance, and numerous educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Art show visual artists, individual performing artists, national and local performance groups, lecturers of various backgrounds and disciplines, artists in residence, marketplace artists, a youth symphony, and an organization of native fashion designers and models participated in the memorial's cultural programs during the 2017 summer season. Native american artists ranged in discipline from navajo jewelry, to beadwork, pottery, rug weaving, ad puppet comedy, to grass dancers, native flute music, hoop dancers, and apache crown dancers from arizona. Coupled with interpretive tours of the museum and cultural center, visitors immersed themselves in lessons teaching respect for native history and contemporary practice, which served to protect the living heritage of native american culture. The indian university of north america commenced its first academic program in the summer of 2010 in a newly constructed instructional and residential facility. The summer program advances the educational goals of crazy horse memorial foundation by supporting students through their first semester of college and through an upper level experience for select returning students. As part of the program, all students are offered credit-bearing,paid internships at the memorial. First-year students complete 12 credit hours, and the upper level program extends 3 credit hours to each student completing an experiential leadership class. Crazy horse memorial foundation funds the student tuition, books, student paid internships, faculty and staff salaries, faculty food and lodging, and a majority of the student lodging and food costs. Since its inception in 2010, in partnership with the university of south dakota, 221 students from 40 different native nations and 18 states have been served. The university can accommodate up to 38 students each summer. The over-arching goal of the distinctive summer program is to increase college persistence and college graduation of native american students. Each fall, foundation staff researches the higher education status of students who successfully completed the program and continued their studies at over 40 different colleges and universities throughout the united states. The high school dropout rate for american indian students is 11%, compared to 4% for whites, 2% for asians, and 7% for blacks. American indian and alaskan native students continue to have the lowest college enrollment rates of any student cohort studying at mainstream colleges and universities. In the united states, 33% of white adults the age of 25 or older possess a bachelor's degree, compared to 52% of asians, 19% of blacks, and 15% of native americans. Chronicle of higher education. (august 18, 2017). Almanac of higher education. Vol. Lxiii. No 43. College persistence and graduation of american indian and alaska native students remain a significant problem. The six year college graduation rate for first-time, full-time students pursuing a bachelor's degree at a 4-year degree granting college is 41% for american indian/alaska native students compared to the general population of 59%. National center for educational statistics. (2016). Status and trends in the education of racial and ethnic groups. Retrieved from http://nces. Ed. Gov/pubsearch. Other studies report even lower college retention and college graduation rates. Crazy horse memorial foundation accepts no government funding for any of its programs or activities. The memorial is sustained by contributions and admission to the memorial. Charitable gifts are received from individuals throughout the united states and the world, giving testimony to the fact that crazy horse memorial foundation is an educational and humanitarian effort of international scope.