ROSEBUD SIOUX TRIBE VETERANS CEMETERY
(SICANGU AKICITA)

The nations first VA cemetery on Native American land, Sicangu Akicita prominently rests along US Highway 63 with 75 acres of land within the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Reservation to serve as the first cemetery for our Nation’s Native American Veterans.

Wyss Associates, Inc. was selected from a national RFP to design the cemetery that would be the first of its kind. Working with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe along with the State Cemetery Grants Agency, Wyss Associates led the team to design this important facility on sacred ground.

The design includes all infrastructure to the cemetery including, water, sewer and electrical. A state of the art public information building, committal shelter and columbarium were coordinated so that these items were low impact to the site. Indigenous landscape plantings were utilized to naturally fit within the surrounding terrain. Indigenous medicinal plants were placed along the memorial walk. Drought tolerant turf was selected to reduce water usage. The irrigation system was designed with state of the art equipment to achieve maximum plant growth with water efficiency. Irrigation system included a weather station, moisture sensors and flow sensors to reduce staff requirements and water waste.