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Israel, Iran trade strikes as Trump weighs U.S. involvement in conflict; Challenge to ND gender-affirming care ban in play, despite SCOTUS ruling; 'Jubilee Day' was honored before Juneteenth in 1800s Indiana; Ohio urged to restore $61M for foster care in final budget talks.

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Lawmakers on both sides urge President Trump not to enter the Israel-Iran war. Supreme Court deals the transgender community a major blow by upholding a Tennessee state law.

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Ethnic Group Hopes SD Music Event Elevates Its Community Profile

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Friday, August 4, 2023   

South Dakota is among the states that have received the most refugees, per capita, in the past decade. This weekend, a specific group of New Americans celebrates its culture through music and dance in hopes of making deeper community connections.

Sioux Falls has one of the largest Kunama populations in the United States. These individuals fled a civil war in East Africa nearly 15 years ago. Moses Idris, an organizer for the Kunama Cultural Festival, now in its second year, said local Kunama residents have overcome challenges in finding stability in the metro area, but they still want others to know about their desire to feel welcome.

"That's why we're trying to raise awareness and just celebrate each other, and our unity as people, and [our] growth," he said.

A key part of this year's event will be Saturday performances on the main stage at Levitt at the Falls, which hosts free concerts throughout the year. The shows will include traditional Kunama dance and music, along with storytelling and teachings. Internationally renowned musicians will be on hand, paying tribute to cultural heritage from other parts of Africa.

Rose Ann Hofland, who leads community engagement for Levitt at the Falls, said the shows by Kunama performers might not be something all attendees are used to, but she said she feels they will get a sense of inclusiveness.

"It's a very sort of communal dancing, where everybody comes together and joins in," she said. "I think it's really in alignment with the Levitt mission, and I think it's just going to be an exciting and joyful thing for people to participate in."

Meanwhile, the larger festival includes soccer matches and cultural fashion shows and runs through Sunday. Some of the soccer teams hail from other U.S. cities with large Kunama populations, including Kansas City and Atlanta. Organizers say these activities are especially helpful in trying to engage Kunama youths and keep them on a steady path.


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