October 7, 2009

SMSC Supports Wacipi (Pow Wows) Across Indian Country

Shakopee, Minnesota - The Pow Wow is an important cultural celebration for American Indian people. It’s a traditional celebration where the generations gather to socialize, dance, and sing. In the Dakota language, the word "Wacipi" [wah-chee-pee] means “they dance.” Singers at their drums sing traditional songs in their native languages, and dancers in spectacular, colorful regalia keep time with the drum. Often held over a weekend, the Pow Wow is usually a family event. Intergenerational extended families travel together with some family members dancing in regalia, others singing at the drum, and some dancing intertribals. Some just come to enjoy the festivities.

To support and encourage traditional American Indian values, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community supports cultural celebrations throughout Indian Country with donations to local events. In fiscal year 2009 the SMSC donated a total of $86,000 to 67 Pow Wows mostly in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. These donations are in response to direct requests for assistance.

The largest donation of $20,000 went to the Mahkato Mdewakanton Association for its annual traditional Pow Wow. This Pow Wow in Mankato which honors the 38 Dakota hanged there in 1862, the largest mass hanging in U.S. history. "Mahkato," the Dakota word for the town, translates as "Blue Earth." Community members from the SMSC helped found the Mahkato Wacipi 35 years ago. SMSC staff also participate in the annual Education Day held in conjunction with the Mahkato Pow Wow.

Here is a list of Pow Wows supported by the SMSC with donations in fiscal year 2009:

Ain Dah Yung Pow Wow; American Indian Center of Rochester Pow Wow; American Legion Auxiliary for Cherry Creek Wacipi; Antelope Pow Wow; Augsburg College Pow Wow; Bemidji State University Council of Indian Students Spring Pow Wow; Big Bend Pow Wow; Canupawakpa Dakota Nation Pow Wow; Cherry Creek Annual Pow Wow; Circle of Nations Indian Association Pow Wow; Circle the Bluffs Pow Wow; Como Community Child Care Pow Wow; Creighton University Annual Pow Wow; Crow Fair Celebration; Dakota Wacipi; Duluth Public Schools Pow Wow; Eagle Nest District Wacipi; Gathering of Our Children; Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Healthy Start Program Pow Wow; Fort Randall Traditional Wacipi; Greenwood Community Pow Wow; Kenel Pow Wow; Kiyaksa New Year Wacipi; Kyi-Yo Native American Student Association University of Montana Pow Wow; Lakota Omniciye Wacipi; Little Earth Residents Association Pow Wow; Little Shell Celebration; Long Hollow District Powwow; Medicine Root District Fair; Minneapolis Thanksgiving Celebration; Minnesota Indian Primary Residential Treatment Center Pow Wow; Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center Pow Wow; Naca Wica Yuonihanpi (Honoring All Chiefs) Pow Wow; Native Americans United Pow Wow; Naytahwaush Harvest Festival and Traditional Powwow; NDSU Multicultural Student Services Pow Wow; Northern Cheyenne Tribe Pow Wow; Northwest Angle Reserve Pow Wow; Oglala Lakota Nation Pow Wow; Oglala Lakota Veterans Pow Wow; Osseo Area Schools Indian Education Pow Wow; Oyate Okiciyapi; People of the Plains Mother’s Day Wacipi; Pierre School District 32-2 Pow Wow; Ponca Pow Wow; Poplar Indian Days Celebration; Porcupine District Labor Day Pow Wow; Potato Creek Pow Wow; Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Pow Wow; Rainy River Community College Pow Wow; Red Cliff Pow Wow; Red Scaffold Pow Wow; Ring Thunder Traditional Wacipi; SDSU Native American Club Pow Wow; Sheridan College Cultural Advancement Activity Pow Wow; Sitting Bull College Wacipi; Standing Rock Community High School Pow Wow; St. Francis Omaka Teca Wacipi; Takini School Pow Wow; Three Rivers Pow Wow; Twin Cities Cultural Connection Wacipi; University of South Dakota Tiospaye Pow Wow; University of Wisconsin Eau Claire Pow Wow; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6547 Pow Wow; Wambli Wakaneja Wacipi; White Earth Tribal and Community College Pow Wow.