Indigenous Culture and Business Thrives in Rapid City and the Black Hills

Courtesy of Caitlin Hein

From the art markets and small businesses of downtown Rapid City to the surrounding Black Hills and Badlands, Indigenous heritage isn’t just preserved here – it’s a living, breathing part of the landscape. Today, a new generation of creators is blending ancestral wisdom with contemporary vision, ensuring their Indigenous culture remains as vibrant as ever in the region. 

Business Meets Culture 

Indigenous entrepreneurs like Caitlin Hein, Sicangu Lakota, have found innovative ways to incorporate culture into their business models. Hein owns and operates He Sapa Vintage and Garbage Tale Vintage in downtown Rapid City, with an emphasis on curated secondhand goods that range from high-end niche pieces to affordable secondhand clothes in all styles. Hein originally became interested in thrifting and fashion as a creative outlet in high school, a passion that grew into a thriving business. 

“We, as Lakota people, have always been very creative,” Hein says. 

Dealing in secondhand clothes also allows Hein to embrace sustainability practices, which she says tie back into the Lakota culture. Hein is mindful of the business practices of the vendors she represents and strives to support local Indigenous artists like the jewelry makers and authors whose goods are featured in her stores. 

As a small-business owner, Hein sought advice from organizations like the Four Bands Community Fund in Eagle Butte, which offers funding and training for Native American entrepreneurs. Now that Hein has found success with her business, she sees it as an opportunity to give back to the community by acting as a mentor to other aspiring business owners. 

“It just fills my heart with so much joy, and I’m so grateful that I might influence a young person to follow their dreams and do something like this,” Hein says. “I think that’s extremely rewarding.” 

Having grown up in Rapid City, Hein can now raise her son in the culture she grew up in. Seeing him participate in a parade on Indigenous Peoples’ Day helped drive home the fact that her family’s culture is still alive and well in the area. 

“My heart was so full,” Hein says. “I see the culture growing in a very progressive and positive way.” 

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Showcasing Local Talent 

Annual festivals allow locals and visitors to experience powwows, fashion shows and art markets where Indigenous art and culture are on display. The 2025 Black Hills Powwow featured a record-breaking 1,800 dancers in celebration of Lakota culture. The Lakota Nation Invitational is a popular multisport tournament. And at the Native POP: People of the Plains Fashion Show, designers and models from all over the country gather to showcase contemporary and traditional designs. 

“Native POP is such a labor of love,” says Akisha Crunk, one of the coordinators of the fashion show. 

In recent years, designers like K. Lookinghorse, HarmonyStar Straub and Briana Mayo have brought designs to Native POP. 

“I think it’s a positive outlet for everyone involved,” says Katrina Drust, another fashion show coordinator. “From the excitement of the models showcasing the clothing to the designers being able to see their clothing being showcased, to us as coordinators seeing everything put together, it’s just an uplifting experience for everyone involved.” 

Native POP represents a variety of different tribes from South Dakota and the surrounding states. 

“Some of the vendors are half Lakota or half Navajo or they come from New Mexico originally but settled here in South Dakota,” Crunk says. “There’s so much different history, different tribes, different walks of life that all come specifically for the art market.” 

Whether through supporting an Indigenous-owned small business, watching a powwow or viewing the creative talent at the Native POP Fashion Show, there are plenty of great ways to engage with and learn about Indigenous culture. 

“Anyone is welcome to come and learn about our culture,” Drust says.