Billy Mills, the West River area's record-holding Olympic gold medalist, often talks about his 1964 long-distance triumph in terms of breaking bonds that held down his esteem.

Now, the Oglala Lakota man travels more than 300 days a year as an author and motivational speaker. He is also the lead spokesman for Running Strong for American Indian Youth, a nonprofit group that seeks to help create opportunities for Natives to survive and succeed.

At Crazy Horse Memorial, Mills provides a daily message about how Natives and non-Natives can succeed together.

Featured in the nonprofit educational foundation's visitor-orientation film, Mills tells visitors that regardless of their heritage, they can break racial bonds holding everyone back if they remember, "We are all spiritual beings sharing the human experience."

Mills will be the keynote speaker Monday at South Dakota's 19th annual Native American Day celebration at Crazy Horse.

The program is free and since starting in 1989 remains geared toward education. Area schools send busloads of students to participate in hands-on activities throughout the visitor complex.

For the third consecutive year, visitors of all ages also can experience the Project NOVA mobile science, math and technology classroom sponsored by the South Dakota Army and Air National Guard. The unit, which roves South Dakota's reservations for much of the school year, will be at Crazy Horse for six weeks.

The Native American Day program begins at 10 a.m. and will include Native American singers, dancers, and honoring of the Crazy Horse Native American Educator of the Year. If weather permits, the program concludes with a blast on the mountain carving.

A free buffalo stew luncheon is provided to visitors.

Admission is free on Native American Day, with a suggested donation of three cans of food per person for the KOTA Care & Share Food Drive.

Crazy Horse Memorial is on U.S. Highway 16/385 between Hill City and Custer.