Eastern South Dakota is about as exciting to drive through as southern Minnesota, which is to say that if you enjoy long stretches of flat land and straight roads then this is your place. For the rest of us, any small diversions on a route like this are welcome to break up the monotony.
Thankfully once you reach the Missouri River that bi-sects the state everything becomes a little more interesting, even the rest stops. Starting at the Chamberlain rest area on westbound I-90 you will find the Dignity of Earth and Sky, a 50-foot tall sculpture of an indigenous woman holding a star quilt behind her.
Here’s the view from another angle, standing closer to the statue’s base looking upwards. According to the placards it is “made entirely of stainless steel which was used for it’s beauty, strength, and permanence.”
There are three small placards attached to the stone base. The main placard details this as a gift from the Norm & Eunabel McKie Family, and was sculpted by South Dakota Artist Laureate Dale Claude Lamphere. Dedicated September 17, 2016 which is the same time I was on a road trip back in 2016 but apparently I missed it somehow.
The other two placards detail the construction and the artist’s statement. Of note on the construction, it weighs 12 1/2 tons and was moved here from over 200 miles away. The star quilt is an important symbol among the Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota peoples; and is comprised of 128 diamonds that are each 4 feet long. I think the artist’s statement is most relevant and I will quote it in full below:
As I developed the design, foremost in my mind was the dignity and long history of indigenous people in this land. I wanted to encourage visitors to understand the deep culture and world view of the first peoples.
Women have always been a stabilizing and renewing force. This is celebrated here, specifically honoring the Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota women who continue to be a strong and guiding influence for the families and communities of the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires).
My greatest hope is that Dignity will inspire present and future generations to see the strength of tradition that still exists in indigenous cultures throughout our nation and encourage all of us to embrace [our] similarities and celebrate our differences.
– Dale Claude Lamphere, Sculptor
Behind the statue on the hillside leading down towards the highway and river, it appears they are doing some improvements or additions. But for now, this is just some leveled dirt piles and orange snow fencing.
There is a curious sign nearby that reads “BEWARE OF POISONOUS SNAKES.” I actually had to look this up, and yes there are in fact poisonous snakes that exist in the world…but likely not here. I believe what they meant was VENOMOUS snakes, and one of those species commonly found in this region would be the prairie rattlesnake. Thankfully today there weren’t any in sight.
At the other end of the grassy park down a paved walkway is a large tipi-like sculpture. I’ve seen these at other South Dakota rest areas. Now that I’m back home, I have learned by searching online that these are collectively called the Concrete Interestate Tipis of South Dakota, or nicknamed Whitwam’s Wigwams (after their sculptor Ward Whitwam). Apparently these were created as part of the Highway Beautification Act to reflect features of the state, and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places for their contribution to the state’s architectural and cultural landscape.
Another plaque closer to the parking area also denotes that I-90 running through South Dakota all the way from Minnesota to Wyoming is declared a Purple Heart Memorial Highway. This Purple Heart Trail is a symbolic trail meant to to commemorate and honor all men and women who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Not shown here is a rather excellent visitor center containing some historic displays and lots of free literature of travel destinations in South Dakota. I enjoyed my time here but daylight is wasting so time to get back on the road. Crossing the Missouri River on the Lewis & Clark Memorial Bridge is always a fun milestone in my opinion as the terrain becomes much more hilly and exciting from here on out. A few more hours and it’s on to the Black Hills!
