RAPID CITY, S.D. – Progress on the Crazy Horse Memorial mountain carving is accelerating, with the horse’s head potentially on track for completion within the next decade, Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation CEO Whitney Rencountre II said on the latest episode of the Dakota Town Hall podcast.

Rencountre joined hosts Jake and Murdoc during a discussion following Native Americans Day and ahead of Native American Heritage Month in November. He discussed the memorial’s mission of preserving Native American culture, its growing educational programs and the progress being made on one of the Black Hills’ most recognizable landmarks.

One of the most common questions surrounding Crazy Horse Memorial is why the carving has taken so long. Rencountre explained that the finished mountain carving will have a surface area approximately 30 times larger than Mount Rushmore. He said the completed face, which stands 87.5 feet tall, represents only about 1.7% of the overall carving.

Under the direction of Chief Mountain Officer Caleb Ziolkowski, crews have made significant progress using modern technology and private donations. Rencountre said the horse’s head could be completed within 10 years if work continues at its current pace.

The memorial’s mission extends well beyond the mountain itself. Rencountre said the facility welcomes more than 600,000 visitors annually and houses approximately 14,000 artifacts representing Native American cultures. Its university programs have also served more than 600 students.

Rencountre discussed the original vision of Chief Henry Standing Bear, who sought to establish a lasting place to preserve Native American history and culture. That vision eventually led to the mountain carving undertaken by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and his family.

The episode also featured South Dakota House District 16 candidate Lisa Bogue, who discussed her campaign priorities, including education, agriculture and local control. Bogue, a former educator who continues to tutor students, said she hopes to support local school districts and explore ways to strengthen reading programs.

The hosts concluded with discussions about South Dakota’s secretary of state race, election procedures and Smithfield’s proposed $1.3 billion pork processing facility near Sioux Falls. They also discussed the redevelopment opportunities that could emerge from relocating the company’s existing downtown operation.