Dear Friends,

The City of Rapid City has made a strong commitment to the Hé Sapa Black Hills Center for Northern Plains Tribal Arts and Performance, which is a community partnership project. By way of reference, the Center was formerly referred to as the Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates (ATTA) Powwow Gardens and Indian Art Market.

In October 2009, the City entered into a long term lease for $1 per year for three acres of land located contiguous and adjacent to the Rapid City Journey Museum in the current Civic Center Use Zone. In addition, $812,000 has been dedicated through the City’s 2012 Vision project to support the Center’s construction costs.

It is clear that the proposed Center will require additional funds in order to move forward and complete Phase I construction plans.

I appreciate the efforts of Yankton Sioux Tribe Chairman Robert Cournoyer, who also serves as Chairman of the Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates (ATTA), and to the other board members who provide the visionary tribal leadership necessary to make this endeavor a success.

I urge you to join us in supporting the Center, which will not only showcase the culture of the Northern Plains tribes, but which I am confident will also build a stronger bond and sense of unity among everyone who is involved now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Alan Hanks, Mayor
City of Rapid City