Pictured above from l to r: Trustee II Richard Allen, Vice-President Cyndi Weddell, Trustee III Gina Williams, Kevin Costner, Secretary Eloise Drapeau, President Joshua Weston and Treasurer Gordon Jones Jr.
Sunday, September 20th Academy Award winner actor Kevin Costner was scheduled for a brief visit to the Royal River Casino. Costner was in South Dakota to commemorate the 20th anniversary of “Dances with Wolves” for the Aberdeen Film Festival and to promote the Northern Route for Tourism which is an effort to get thousands of tourists that travel to eastern South Dakota for tourist attractions to get interested in what the northern half of the state has to offer, such as Native American sites, museums, prairie scenery, trails, landmarks and other attractions.
Kevin Costner was met at the front entrance at Royal River Casino by members of the Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Lodge. Veterans present were: Dave Williams, Victor Allen, Darrell Decoteau, and Art Cartwright. FSST Executive Council members present were: Joshua Weston-President, Cyndi Weddell-Vice-President, Richard Allen-Trustee II, and Gina Williams-Trustee III. Many Lightning Drum Group sang a Welcome song: The drummers and singers were: Perry Bob Tail Bear, Theo Bob Tail Bear, Jim Bill Ross, David Ross, Francis Eastman,  Everett Weston & J.P. Roy.
Members of the press and community members were also waiting to get pictures of the famous actor and local fans of Costner wanted autographs.
(Pictured to the left: Mr. Costner presents a gift of an art print depicting a scene in "Dances with Wolves" to the FSST Executive Council.)
Mr. Costner was escorted by Tribal Attorney Rollyn Samp and Casino Security Director Brock Nelson throughout his trip in and out of Flandreau. Mr. Costner thanked everyone for welcoming him to Flandreau while taking photos with fans and signing autographs. Costner took time to thank and shake hands with the veterans present.
The Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Lodge posted the American Flag, POW Flag, FSST Tribal Flag and an Eagle Staff on both sides of the stage. The stage was decorated with three beautiful traditional colored star quilts and beautiful autumn flower bouquets with South Dakota native grasses in the bouquets.
Tribal President Joshua Weston began the “Friendship Ceremony” by welcoming everyone in attendance. Tribal Elder Sid Byrd was introduced. Sid said a prayer and blessing in Dakota.
President Weston introduced Mr. Costner and asked him to come forward to the podium. After the introduction and welcome, President Weston asked Costner: “What made you what to do the movie dances with wolves?
Mr. Costner expressed that at the time he wasn’t getting much support from Hollywood for the movie “Dances with Wolves” and that he was being pushed to do “Bull Durham II” or other easy marketable projects. Costner said: “I felt that this was a story of a lonely man that wished to interact with group of people that didn’t share a language or customs and how they begin to socialize and form a friendship in spite of all their differences.” Mr. Costner stated he felt compelled to tell the story of “Dances with Wolves”.
He discussed the difficulty of getting “Dances with Wolves” filmed in South Dakota  considering when others filming saw the South Dakota Prairies and said there was nothing but prairies here but Costner couldn’t have imagined shooting the movie anywhere else.
Before Mr. Costner left the FSST Executive Committee presented him with a star quilt and an Eagle designed pipestone peace pipe. Mr. Costner expressed his gratitude and said that he couldn’t wait to share these gifts with his sons.
(Pictured to the right: Mr. Costner with gifts of star quilt & an Eagle designed pipestone peace pipe.)
Mr. Costner then presented a gift to the FSST Executive Council of an art print depicting the epic scene in “Dances with Wolves” of the buffalo hunt painted by Tom Phillips.
Before Mr. Costner departed he took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony that opened the Royal River Casino to the Northern Route to Deadwood where Costner’s “Story of the Buffalo is and the Black Hills.
Although Mr. Costner’s visit was brief those in attendance expressed genuine enthusiasm when he spoke of his interest in South Dakota and Native American culture and his fondness for all of what South Dakota has to offer and stands for.-Amber Allen |
