Dignity

Dignity is a sculpture over 15 meters tall near Chamberlain in Brule County, South Dakota. The figure is made of stainless steel and depicts a woman with a blanket composed of 128 movable diamond-shaped elements.

The sculpture was created by artist Dale Lamphere in 2016 and installed to mark the 125th anniversary of South Dakota's founding as a state. A private donation of over one million dollars made the project possible.

The name refers to a traditional Dakota and Lakota word for female strength. The figure holds a star quilt, a blanket type that continues to play a central role in ceremonies among these tribes today.

The sculpture stands at a rest area along Interstate 90 between exits 263 and 265 and is accessible around the clock. From there, you can also see a view over the Missouri River valley.

Lamphere worked with three women from different generations to shape the facial features of the figure. At night, LED lighting highlights the movable metal parts of the blanket and they are visible from the highway.

Location: Brule County

Inception: September 17, 2016

Creator: Dale Lamphere

Height: 15 m

Made from material: steel

GPS coordinates: 43.78697,-99.33821

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:28