23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
Heritage Encounter

little girl walks up to a huge statue of a Native American woman in South Dakota. The sculpture, called Dignity of Earth and Sky, stands 50 feet tall and is made of stainless steel, with a flowing star quilt. Created by artist Dale Lamphere, it honors the strength, pride, and perseverance of the Lakota and Dakota people. It’s like a real-life moment where the future of our country meets its past.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: South Dakota, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Helen McLain