Dupree Wacipi resumes after seven year pause

DUPREE – For the first time since 2018, the community enjoyed the 2025 Dupree Wacipi held July 11–13th. According to Jenny Jeffries, one of the organizers, “We had a successful turnout for 2025. And we will be doing this yearly as long as creator lets us.”

Members of the Cheyenne River Veteran’s Association served as the Color Guard and Richard Charging Eagle was the emcee for the event. Doug Dupris was the Arena Director and the host drum was Bad Bear.

Other drumming groups participating in the wacipi included Rockin A, Standing Cloud, Straight Blanket, Screaming Eagle, Tate Hotain, Oak Creek, Eagle Sky, and Lakota Tunes.

Competitors danced in four paid contests including traditional, fancy, jingle dress, and grass style with 4 divisions: tiny tots (ages 1-5), junior boys and girls (ages 6-12), teen boys and girls (ages 13-17) and adults (men and women, ages 18 and older).

According to Bernita In the Woods, another organizer, winners in the dance contests included:

JR GIRLS FANCY: 3rd Place – Aniston One Feather; 2nd Place – Daxlyn Lee; 1st Place – Creek Carry Moccasin

JR GIRLS JINGLE: 3rd Place – Alexa Anderson; 2nd Place – Eva LeClaire; 1st Place – Maypiha Ska Frazier

JR GIRLS TRADITIONAL: 1st Place – Lola White Buffalo

JR BOYS FANCY: 1st Place – Dustan Knife

JR BOYS GRASS: 3rd Place – Wanbli Ska Frazier; 2nd Place – O’Maste Frost; 1st Place – Musin Makes Room For Them

TEEN GIRLS FANCY: 2nd Place – Ehanniwin Red Bird; 1st Place – Emma Brown

TEEN GIRLS JINGLE: 3rd Place – Bright Star Iron Horn; 2nd Place – Leelee Arnett; 1st Place – Gracie Running Bear

TEEN GIRLS TRADITIONAL: 2nd Place – Elaina Waters; 1st Place – Wicahpi Luta Pay Pay Frazier

TEEN BOYS FANCY: 1st Place – Zuya Iron Horn

TEEN BOYS GRASS: 3rd Place – Gage Bald Eagle; 2nd Place – Alden One Feather; 1st Place – Charles White Buffalo

WOMEN’S FANCY: 3rd Place – Elizabeth Eagle; 2nd Place – Natisha Charging Eagle; 1st Place – Diamond Red Legs

WOMEN’S JINGLE: 3rd Place – Sum- mer Bowman; 2nd Place – Tina Shields; 1st Place – Sarah Molash

WOMEN’S TRADITIONAL: 3rd Place – Brittney Arnett; 2nd Place – Millie Black Bear; 1st Place – Precious Cook

MEN’S FANCY: 1st Place – Josh Thunder Hawk / Ted Eagle, Jr.

MEN’S GRASS: 2nd Place – Darwyn Makes Room For Them; 1st Place – Tabor White Buffalo

MEN’S TRADITIONAL: 3rd Place – Eldon J. Reed; 2nd Place – Anthony Spotted Elk; 1st Place – Sheldon Tree Top

Vendors were available selling foods and crafted items. The Burton In The Woods Family and the YMCA of the 7 Council Fires provided meals.

Gail White Feather attended and said, “It was the first in a long time and it was a good time.”

Cekpa Olepe Win posted on Facebook: “Dupree Wacipi in the Books 2025! I came home with second place. …all around just had fun with my sisters and all my nieces and nephews. I love being around my powwow family and all my cousins and cheering each other on in everything we do, whether it’s dancing in a special or watching the little ones get down in tiny tots. …BIG BEND WACIPI NEXT!”

(Contact Grace Terry at graceterrywilliams@gmail.com)

The post Dupree Wacipi resumes after seven year pause first appeared on Native Sun News Today.

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