It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995 as a venue of enduring cultural and religious significance, and for its association with Black Elk.

[3] Alex Duhamel, the patriarch of the family, had moved to Rapid City in 1879 and traded with the local Lakota, with whom he had formed a good relationship.

[3] The pageant consisted of traditional Lakota ceremonies, led by Black Elk himself, which included healing, holy pipe, burial, and mourning rituals.

Thus, when the Sioux Falls Dance Pageant began performing in 1927, its ceremonies were technically illegal under United States law, until the repeal of this ban later in 1934.

[2] Chief Red Bear joined the group at their Cedar Falls shows; he and Black Elk also spoke about their experience at the Wounded Knee Massacre there.

Black Elk had retired some years prior to his death, and it became difficult for the Duhamels to find Lakota who were willing to perform after his departure from the show.

[3] On December 14, 1995, the pavilion was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its cultural and religious significance, contribution to Lakota history, and its association with Black Elk.

[7] [2] The pageant and associated tourism provided a good source of income for the dancers during the Great Depression, which had heavily damaged the Black Hills' economy and left local families struggling, including many Lakota.

[7] Anywhere from 25 to 50 Lakota participated in each performance and the greater Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns property; bands with a confirmed presence included the Sicangu, Oglala, and Hunkpapa.

Lakota could also now afford to visit, and live at, sites that were culturally and spiritually important, such as the Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns, the nearby Wind Caves, and the Black Hills themselves.

[2] Newspaper and radio advertisements exploited the public's perception of Native traditions as "savage" and violent, and implied that the performers were of a bygone time.

"[6] The pavilion is an octagonal theatre in the round, constructed out of white vertical wooden boards and on a poured concrete foundation.

The inside features five large murals depicting local places of interest created by Sicangu artist Godfrey Broken Rope.

[2] The arches were originally intended to be installed in the Keystone Wye bridge in 1967 but were rejected after they fell off of a truck en route to the construction site.