‘He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate’ returns after two years

RAPID CITY – Once again, the heartbeat of Ina Maka will reverberate throughout the foothills of the Black Hills as the 34th Annual He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate kicks off next weekend at the new Monument Summit Arena.

This year, after a two-year hiatus due to Covid, the Black Hills Powwow Association welcomes back the Oyate for a three-day event that opens Friday evening October 7 and runs through October 9.

Last week Prairie Edge hosted a special reception for local business owners who have offered not only financial but also moral support to the powwow over the years.

Steven Yellow Hawk who has served as the President of the BHPA for the past 12 years said he is looking forward to continuing to grow the event into the largest powwow in the world.

“We still have those visions and those dreams. I think moving forward we will get there,” Yellow Hawk said, and also said that the Black Hills Powwow was the first powwow that he ever danced at as a young boy and he understands the positive impact it has on the youth.

Vice-president Dew Bad Warrior-Ganje who is involved in all aspects of organizing the powwow said a new addition to this year’s powwow will be Wacipi 101. She described it as an opportunity to build bridges of understanding between all community members. She said a blessing of the new facility conducted by Reverend Gerald Yellow Hawk will take place on Oct. 7 in lieu of the former Sponsorship breakfast.

Community Ambassador Jim Scull of Scull Construction who spoke next said “This is a real blending and melding of cultures. We have a substantial number of Native Americans in this community that are an economic power here. We are starting to realize the value of what we have here and the possibilities.”

Scull said the Powwow has come a long way from its humble beginning and has flourished under the leadership of Steven Yellow Hawk. “It’s come along long way from where it was 10 years ago.”

“We want to be number one in the nation and it is absolutely possible,” Scull said, and added that it is all a matter of money,  “If our community can get together and raise the funds, we can make this a heck of an event.”

Host for the event, Dan Tribby, General Manager for Prairie Edge, said there are more ways to support the Powwow, “Put people in the seats. I mean they are going to enjoy a wonderful, just wonderful event. Bring your families, bring your co-workers, and bring your aunt that you can’t stand.”

Tribby then presented to the BHPA a check for $20,000 to from the Hildebrand Dakota Charitable Foundation.

Whitney Rencountre, Eyapaha for the social said: “As we talk about financial support tonight, we also talk about building bridges and forming relationships. When we get together like this and visit and talk and gain support, it truly makes our community a better place.”

Tom Johnson of Elevate Rapid City said the aftermath of the Grand Gateway Hotel incident was an opportunity to establish a relationship with Native Americans leaders in Rapid City and the tribes and talk about what can be done.

Johnson said that as a result of the Grand Gateway incident Elevate conducted a study to assess the economic impact of Native American spending in the city, “Native American spending in Rapid City supports over 3,500 jobs and results in almost $400 million in spending.”

Sarah Bad Warrior-Vrooman Director of SDSU Wokini Initiative and also sister of Dew Bad Warrior-Ganje, sent a letter of support which was read by Rencountre that stated they donated $10, 000 to sponsor all the youth categories at the Powwow.

Rencountre introduced himself as the new CEO of Crazy Horse Monument and said the Monument will continue to look for opportunities to help support the Wacipi.

“I’ve been an integral part of the celebration being a part of the planning groups with the late Julie Jenson as well as Jim Scull, Steven Yellow Hawk, Dew and the whole committee,” Rencountre said, and also said the whole process has been about bettering relationships in the community. He said he is looking forward to participating in Wacipi 101, which he jokingly said is powwows for dummies.

Lloyd Lacroix, from the Rapid City Human Relations Commission and the Mniluzahan Okolakiciyapi Ambassadors said, “This is the first year as a public private partnership our commission came together and voted to give the powwow $8,000.”

Brook Kaufman, Executive Director of Visit Rapid City, said this is her first powwow and said she is super grateful for the experience. She brought a check for $5,000 to support this year’s Wacipi

Gateway Auto also donated $7,500 to support the Powwow.

Imitating a Kimimila (butterfly) Sophia Benally then gave a stunning exhibition of the women’s fancy dance to those who gathered at Prairie Edge as a preview of the upcoming powwow.

In addition to this year’s powwow, spectators have the opportunity to enjoy a fine arts show, He Sapa Win pageant, wellness symposium for youth sponsored by the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board, and tournaments for hand games, golf, and archery.

There will also be the Native American Day Parade on Saturday Oct. 8 dedicated to the memory of Tim Giago. The parade will start at 10 a.m. and will be followed by an Indian Taco feed.

HEAD STAFF for the event include: Eyapaha  Ruben Little Head; Eyapaha- Whitney Rencountre II; Head Dance Judge – Acosia Red Elk; Head Singing Judge – Hokie Clairmont; Arena Director – Rusty Gillette; Arena Director – Chaske LaBlanc; Miss He Sapa Win – Lauren McNabb; Tabulation – iCreeAzn; Sound – Hokah Sound; Veterans-Native American Veterans Association Post #1 of Rapid City, SD; Graphic Artist/Website – Lonnie Jeffries; Poster Art – Jim Yellowhawk.

(Contact Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa at cahunpigiwin@gmail.com)

 

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