A group of people from Russia attended this year’s Lakota Nation Invitational in Rapid City. They learned how the event hosts tournaments, showcases indigenous culture and even new games to bring back home.
Some of the group of Russian people work in indigenous communities back home. They shared parts of their culture and met with local Native Americans to learn about tribes in South Dakota.
Aleksandra Rodionova works with language restoration for indigenous cultures in Russia. She says the Lakota language is similar to the languages she works with. Both are mainly spoken by older people and losing more speakers every year. She speaks through a translator.
“Both Karelian and Lakota language, they are going through this revitalization stage. Because you know it’s very nice and pleasant to hear because the more we give kids opportunity to study their native language, the better they will be off in the future. And kids need to communicate more with older people who are native language speakers.”
Rodionova says her group also participated in a Hand Games tournament with local corporations. Another Russian participant, Mariia Nogelainen coaches children Kyykka teams-that’s a traditional game in her region. She also organizes tournaments for her region of about 300 people. She’s bringing Hand Games back to her village.
"And I believe after I show them video of how the supporting team cheers for the competing teams, they will be very excited. And what I observed on the LNI, fans are very active. We don’t have such active fans. I’ve learned a lot of new things for myself and I think when I am back in Russia, I can use all of it.”
Nogelainen purchased Lakota Hand Games tools to play with the kids in her Russian Region.