On the morning of September 14th, Maȟpíya Lúta staff and students, local artists, and the wider reservation community gathered on campus for the Ground Blessing of the new Heritage Center building. The ground blessing marked the beginning of the construction process. The ceremony was held in the field behind the Holy Rosary Church, where the new center will eventually stand. Richard Moves Camp (Community Elder) and Fr. Joe Daoust (Superior of the Jesuit Community) offered prayer and blessings. The Mackert Elementary Drum Group also sang prayer songs to help mark the occasion. Tawa Ducheneaux (Director of The Heritage Center), Frank Star Come Out (Oglala Lakota Tribal President), Bob Ecoffey (President of the Maȟpíya Lúta Board of Directors), and John Red Cloud (Red Cloud Family Representative) all shared remarks on the historic day and the future. The new Heritage Center is expected to open in Spring 2025.