‘Healing the Nation’
MMIW Medicine Wheel riders who came from all over the country to join in on their annual trek from Bear Butte to Crazy Horse Memorial stopped in to enjoy the festivities at the “Healing the Nation” Wacipi in Pine Ridge Village. Posing with them are Tribal Royalty from neighboring tribes. (Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa)
PINE RIDGE – After a two year hiatus, the Oglala Lakota hosted the “Healing the Nation” Wacipi and Fair in a way no other tribe can revel. Thousands upon thousands gathered to celebrate with the Oglala and the return of one of the largest powwows in Indian Country.
Saturday morning Aug 6, the Oglala hosted their signature parade with the theme “Everybody Dance” that lasted over an hour. The parade was an opportunity to showcase all the Tribal programs, the powwow and rodeo queens and the horse nation. Onlookers enjoyed the Indian sense of humor with parade floats that featured cartoon caricatures that danced and threw out gobs and gobs of candy. Children along the route were not disappointed as they left with their candy bags full.
Marching the parade route with the Oglala Lakota Nation President Kevin Killer was Jamie Smith, candidate for South Dakota governor. Also in the parade were the MMIW memorial women bikers who came from all over the country to join in on their annual trek from Bear Butte to Crazy Horse Memorial. Among the bikers were women from as far away as Hawaii and Texas.
Along with the powwow that paid out $1000 first place prizes in all the adult categories, there was a softball tournament, a Rodeo and Indian Relay Races. At the skate park was a cornhole tournament and a horseshoe tournament. Also on the grounds was a carnival and a vendor market that featured several different versions of auntie’s fry bread, Hog Heaven as well as booths filled with beadwork, regalia items, clothing and blankets.
Eyapaha for the event was Chris Eagle Elk with Arena Director Morris Bull Bear.
(Contact Ernestine Chasing Hawk at cahunpigiwin@gmail.com)
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August 11, 2022