Prior Lake, MN – Wearing handmade regalia and dancing to the songs of the Little Six Drum Group, SMSC and area youth will celebrate Dakota culture, traditions, and spirituality with a free dance exhibition and art show. The evening performance, open to the general public, begins at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at the Prior Lake High School auditorium.  An earlier, afternoon performance will be presented for students.

Last year’s performance honored water, Mni. This year the performance will honor another element:  Peta [pet-ah], the Dakota word for fire, in stage design and with a special dance.

Young Native Pride, designed to instill pride and respect for Native American values and culture, involves children from kindergarten through 12th grade. This year participating students attend school at the SMSC Education Department- Home School along with Prior Lake, Savage, Shakopee, New Prague, Belle Plaine, Bloomington, and Hopkins public and private schools. The Little Six Drum Group consists of adults and youth primarily from the SMSC.

The parents and families of the students have worked throughout the school year as a large family Tiospaye [tee-osh-peye] preparing for the annual Young Native Pride event. They have helped the dancers put together beautiful Dakota dance regalia consisting of beadwork, appliqué, ribbon work, moccasins, bustles, shawls, and more. The regalia worn by the dancers have personal and symbolic meaning to each individual. Dance styles to be featured are fancy feather, fancy shawl, traditional, grass, and jingle. Audience members are invited to participate in a round dance to conclude the event.

“We expect to have more than 50 young people participate in this year’s performance,” said SMSC Vice-Chairman Glynn A. Crooks. “We are very proud of our Community youth who demonstrate great pride in their heritage through their participation in this program.”

Each performance will begin with a prayer followed by a Grand Entry where the dancers enter in a procession behind the flags and eagle feather staffs. Typically a member of the SMSC Business Council extends a brief welcome to the crowd. A narrator will describe the various dance styles.

Prior Lake High School is located at 7575 150^th Street West in Savage, Minnesota 55378.  Refreshments will be served following the 7:00 p.m. performance.