South Dakota Teepees Damaged in Storm Covered by Insurance

Officials of the Wakpa Sica (WAHK’-pah SEECH’-uh) Reconciliation Place on the outskirts of Fort Pierre, South Dakota will spend this fall and winter repairing teepees that were damaged by a summer storm.

Hail, high winds and heavy rains on July 18, 2008 pummeled the six large teepees along Highway 1806.

Most of the estimated $15,000 in damage is covered by insurance.

Reconciliation Place Executive Director Stacey LaCompte was surprised that the teepees were damaged.

Teepees typically stand up well to Great Plains storms.

The teepees have been in place since 2003 and are a tourist attraction.