All American Indian Days Memorial
The untold story of extraordinary people of Sheridan and Johnson Counties along with Native Americans had the vision to eliminate racial discrimination against Native Peoples
LUCY YELLOWMULE’S LEGACY
Lucy Yellowmule (1935-1996), a 16 year old citizen of the Crow Nation, rode into history with the 1952 title of Sheridan WYO Rodeo Queen.
However, signs in Sheridan stores, “No Dogs or Indians Allowed,” turned away Native American people. Lucy and Howard Sinclair, a newsman, worked together to remove the signs. As a result, Sheridan received several national awards.
Sinclair and Crow advisors created All American Indian Days to build better understanding of Native people. Donald Deernose chaired an Indian Executive Committee and Dr. Joe Medicine Crow coordinated events. Hundreds of local people were volunteers and thousands of Native Americans participated.
Each year, an Outstanding Indian of the Year and a Miss Indian America were chosen. These young women assumed the role started by Lucy to build awareness about Native Americans across the United States.
QUIZ ABOUT ALL AMERICAN INDIAN DAYS
- Name a Miss Indian America from your state.
- Name an Outstanding Indian of the Year.
- What two tribes live in Wyoming?
- When did All American Indian Days begin?
- Where was the Tipi Village?
- What is a pipe ceremony?
- Name a Native American pastor?
- Who attended All American Indian Days?
MITAKUYE OYASIN
(We Are All Related)
IN THE LAKOTA LANGUAGE, MITAKUYE OYASIN MEANS WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER AS RACES AND TO THE LAND AND ANIMALS.
SCULPTOR JON DECELLES
Jon Decelles is a member of the Aaniih (White Clay People) and Assiniboine tribes in Montana.
Mitakuye Oyasin (We Are All Related) tells the story of All American Indian Days:
- The Tipi Village
- The Outstanding Indian of the Year
- Miss Indian America
- Pipe Ceremony
The red circle around the Memorial opens to the Four Directions symbolizing welcome to Native Americans coming from all directions to Sheridan.
THE UNTOLD STORY
Between 1953-1984, Sheridan was known as the gathering place to celebrate Native American culture. In the early years, 4,000 Native people from over 60 tribes came from all four directions.
AAID became a unique community effort for non-Natives and Natives to work together with respect.
After 1984, AAID faded into memory. No longer did famous artists and writers, scholars, Native organizations and thousands of Native Americans come here.
Sarah Johnson Luther, former Miss Indian America XIV, decided this history about Sheridan should be celebrated. Vivian Arviso, Miss Indian America VII, and William D. Patton, descendant of a family deeply involved with AAID, helped with the project. Project advisors were the late Father J. Powell (1928-2022); Kendra Heimbuck, The Brinton Museum, and Mary Jane Edwards, Jentel Foundation.
