Lakota Nation Invitational (LNI)

The organization showcases native american and non-native american youth at a competitive level, sharing the native american culture with attendees and each other. Events occur throughout the year including basketball, volleyball, wrestling, track, cross country, and golf athletic competitions. Concurrent with the athletic competitions, the organization also hosts archery, art show, hand games, knowledge bowl, chess, poetry slam, business plan, and lakota language bowl competitions. These events help keep the culture and traditions alive in youth today. Youth are drawn together through competition and the love of culture and sports. They take pride in themselves, their schools, their culture, and their communities. Participants are from multiple states and tribes in elementary through high school grades. During 2023, 307 teams from 60 schools participated with an estimated 2,500-3,000 participants.