Cheyenne Frontier Days Foundation Shares Construction Progress on Morning Star Indian Village

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) Foundation has released a construction update on the much-anticipated Morning Star Indian Village, a project that will triple the size of the current village and offer a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.

Executive Director Reneé Middleton says what began as a donor’s vision to “think bigger with the Indian Village” is steadily becoming reality. With infrastructure underway, the site is currently 10% complete, with sewer lines and building foundations now going in.

“So we really are wanting to help make that a huge issue or huge opportunity for the Plains Indians that were here before we were,” Middleton said, emphasizing the project's cultural and historical significance.

Set to be completed in 2026, the expanded Indian Village will include a brand new Community House, a sunken Dance Arbor, improved vendor buildings, and other enhancements. According to Middleton, the new village will be “one of a kind.”

“We’re really excited about all the aspects that we’re bringing to the table,” Middleton said. “It’s going to be an immersive educational experience—you know, you can walk into a Tipi and see how it may have looked like on the plains. You can actually feel and touch and see things that is different than a museum.”

Unlike the current setup that primarily operates during the Cheyenne Frontier Days celebration, the new Morning Star Indian Village will be accessible year-round, weather permitting.

Middleton noted the future potential of the space to become a living cultural center beyond the traditional event schedule. “Visitors and residents can enjoy the Morning Star Indian Village during the other 355 days around CFD,” she said.

The project is part of a broader effort to preserve and elevate Indigenous history and culture in Wyoming, offering interactive education, performance space, and economic opportunities for Native artisans and vendors. Once complete, the Morning Star Indian Village will serve as both a historical tribute and a modern gathering place for storytelling, craftsmanship, and celebration.

To learn more or support the project, visit cfdrodeo.com.

Originally reported by Akili Kirk Bonner in Wyoming News Now.