Welcome to Oceti Vote ’22! Let’s Rez the Vote!
The goal: Increase Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota (i.e. South Dakota tribal) voting power in local, state, and national elections and inspire Indigenous People across Turtle Island to cast ballots this November.
The event: Sioux Country’s first-ever 3-on-3 basketball tournament, music festival, hand games competition, and singing contest, co-produced by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Lakota People’s Law Project. Other partners are Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and Thunder Valley CDC. Admission is free!
The target: This is a get-out-the-vote effort, so basketball team members at least 18 years old will be required to show proof of valid voter registration, or they can register onsite to play. All players must be either tribal members or eligible to enroll in a tribal nation. Natives in states surrounding South Dakota are also welcome to participate.
Attendees who show proof of valid voter registration will be entered into a VIP (Voting Important Person) raffle drawing for a chance to win $118 each day (in recognition of Election Day on 11/8).
The location: Rapid Skillz 360, 840 Centre St, Rapid City, SD 57701
The details:
- The basketball tournament and live music will be on Saturday, Oct 22. (Registration 8-10 AM, please arrive by 9 AM)
- Hand games competition and singing contest will be on Sunday, Oct 23. (Registration 8-10 AM, please arrive by 9 AM)
- Full schedule of the weekend’s activities here
Tournament Rules Summary:
- All teams have must have either 3 or 4 players.
- Maximum of 3 players on the court at a time, per team.
- All team members must be at least 14 years old.
- All team members under 18 must have consent of a legal guardian.
- All adult team members must be registered to vote and sign a medical waiver.
Attendees (non-basketball players) can secure their FREE advance tickets to the event here. (Attendees can secure general admission or VIP tickets any time prior to the event or at the door.)
Basketball players can register their teams here to play in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Basketball teams can pre-register online or sign up at the venue on game day from 8-10 AM to play, please arrive by 9AM.
For the basketball tournament, there will be male and female divisions, with three age brackets (14-18, 19-32, 33 and up; 18-year-olds who are no longer in high school may choose to play in the 19-32 division). Each team can have either three or four players (the fourth player is a sub).
All players must submit an online health waiver form, and underage players must have their guardians submit a form on their behalf. If this isn’t done prior to 12 p.m. (noon) on Friday, Oct. 21 (the deadline for team sign-up), we can assist you with completing the waiver when your team checks in for the tournament.
To register to vote in South Dakota, you must provide a valid driver’s license number — or, if you don’t have a DL, you can provide the last four digits of your Social Security number on the form.
Overnight lodging in Rapid City for Oceti Vote is not provided by the tournament (though we will attempt to secure a block of reduced-rate rooms at a local hotel — more details about this TBA). So to be safe, please plan your own accommodations. If you have any questions for our staff, you can reach us at OcetiVote@lakotalaw.org.
Thank you for participating in Oceti Vote ‘22!
Disclaimer: Anyone who participates in this tournament, either as a player or fan, may receive a phone call from us after the games are complete. As Election Day on Nov. 8 nears, we’ll make some reminder calls to assist with vote plans and turnout.