New Miss He Sapa Win was crowned

RAPID CITY – The Black Hills Powwow is one of Rapid City’s premiere annual events, and the Thirty-Seventh Annual event held in the Summit Arena at the Monument from October 10-12, 2025, did not disappoint.

Nineteen year-old Precious Cook, or Spotted Eagle Woman, was crowned the new 2025-2026 Miss He Sapa Win on Saturday night. Cook, who is from Cheyenne River, was the top scorer in multiple categories – earning 41.4 points for interviews, 46.3 for regalia, 41.4 for her essay, 36.5 for public speech and 43 points for dance.

Emcee Whitney Rencountre II said it was a close call on the public speech category, and praised the contestants. “You all did a great job in expressing yourselves. It’s been very difficult to get in front of all these people, but you all did a good job.” Again, he complimented the contestant’s talents for the dance portion of the competition. “It made it very difficult for these judges.”

Cook is a student at Oglala Lakota College. Her parents are Jesse Cook and Marther Fast Eagle.

Tyler Star Come Out placed runner up. If the current Miss He Sapa Win is unable to fulfil her reign the runner up will be contacted to fulfill the remaining time.

Black Hills Powwow officials reported on their website that 1,833 dancers attended the Black Hills Powwow on Saturday night which broke the record that had been set the night before when an estimated 1600 dancers filled the arena.

Musician Macklemore and actress Elaine Miles attended the powwow on Saturday night.

With the exception of complaints regarding large swaths of seats being saved but remaining empty, there was much praise all over social media for the success of the event.

(Contact Marnie Cook at cookm8715@gmail.com)

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