Chief Henry Standing Bear and others wanted to demonstrate to the world that the Native Americans of the Northern Plains have “great heroes, also.” So, on November 7, 1939, the Lakota Chief penned a letter to an award-winning sculptor. In his message, he asked the Storyteller in Stone, Korczak Ziolkowski, “Perhaps you can help me in some way?” This correspondence would set off a decades-long course of events that would center around the preservation and celebration of the culture of Native Americans.
Crazy Horse Memorial® is the fruit of Chief Standing Bear’s persistence. The most well-known portion of the work of the Memorial is certainly the colossal Mountain Carving of Lakota hero Crazy Horse. But the Dream of preservation and celebration has overflowed into endeavors like the Indian Museum of North America® and the Indian University of North America®. Whitney Rencountre, CEO of Crazy Horse Memorial® explains, “People are drawn in by the largest Mountain Carving in progress, but once they’re here, they’re able to discover the whole story of the Native American People.”
Chief Standing Bear and Korczak would correspond both in person and in writing for eight years following their initial letter. During that time, Korczak dedicated himself to learning as much as he could about Native American culture and Crazy Horse himself before he ever took chisel to Mountain. For Korczak, the Memorial had more significance than carving stone — it was about unity, celebration and educating the world.
The work of the Memorial has held true to Korczak and Chief Standing Bear’s original Dream. Whitney started serving as the new CEO of Crazy Horse Memorial® in September of 2022. He comes to Crazy Horse Memorial® with a desire to carry on the spirit of unification and education. “I’ve been bridging cultures and bringing people together my whole career,” he explains. “I’m pleased to continue honoring the spirit of Henry Standing Bear.”
Like Korczak’s journey to expand his view of humankind, Whitney sees education as the key to understanding the experiences of different people. “It’s human nature to only care about your own culture and circumstances,” he says. “It takes being intentional and seeking out education to expand your knowledge and point of view.” Lasting, generational progress is made when people seek out opportunities to learn about each other’s culture(s) and history. Whitney says, “Crazy Horse Memorial® is such a special place.” A part of what makes Crazy Horse Memorial® exceptional is the awe-inspiring Carving itself. The other source of the Memorial’s uncommon effect in the world comes from the educational work that is taking center stage. “All of this work — the Carving, the displays, the training of the next generation — is for the betterment of our children,” Whitney says. And as Whitney and his team eye the future, they envision an ever-expanding impact made by education. “The human race is just better when it’s working together,” Whitney says. And that celebration of diversity and unity will continue — and it all started with a letter.
12151 Avenue of the Chiefs
Crazy Horse, SD 57730-8900
crazyhorsememorial.org