'Alive and thriving,' SMSC's Wacipi slated Aug. 17-19

Prior Lake American

Thousands of dancers and visitors will congregate on Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community land this weekend for Wacipi, an annual event put on by the community.

Wacipi, which means “they all dance” in the Dakota language, will feature dancers performing sacred and ceremonial dances throughout each day as well as Native American craft and food vendors.

“It’s a weekend of celebration, culture,” Wacipi Committee Chairman Cole Miller said. “You’ve got over 10 different dance categories, anywhere from 2, 3 years old all the way up to the other categories and that’s 65 plus. You have dance styles from all over the country ... and Canada as well.”

In Native American tradition, Wacipi was “originally a gathering time held at the end of a season to celebrate a good hunt or recognize a positive event,” according to the event website.

“Each Pow Wow is important,” Miller said. “It’s almost like a family reunion every year.”

The event will begin with a blessing of the dance circle, followed by a grand entry. Once dancers are in the circle, a prayer will be said and a drum group will sing songs to honor the flag and veterans, according to the website.

“Every year, we select a different drum group to come and we’re really excited ... we’ve got some of the best drums in Indian Country coming here this weekend,” Miller said.

On Saturday, there will be two grand entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. as well as a meal from 4:30-6:30 p.m. that’s included with admission. Fireworks will close out Saturday festivities at 10 p.m. On Sunday, there will be a grand entry at 1 p.m.

“As you’re walking up, you hear the drums swinging, it really is powerful,” Miller said. “Then to get up there and see more than 1,000 do grand entry dancing in the arena together, it’s pretty cool.”

In the arena, there is a grassy area in the middle which will be blessed for the event. This area is to be treated like a church and guests are asked not to smoke, travel through or allow children to play in it, according to the website.

The community’s Wacipi is a contest, with various dance categories and age groups from “tiny tots” to “golden age.” A “Wapaha,” or master of ceremonies will call for inter-tribal dancing, according to the website.

Dance categories will include Men’s Fancy, Jingle Dress, Fancy Shawl, Golden Age and more as well as performances from various drum groups.

There will also be “specials,” which are honorary dances and ceremonies — for instance, the Fallen Warrior Ceremony. An Eagle Feather and Fallen Warrior Ceremony is held when an eagle feather falls to the ground. Veterans retrieve the feather.

“The eagle flies higher than any other being and carries prayers to the Creator,” according to the website. “Possession of an eagle feather is an honor; they are usually received as a gift from a relative, spiritual teacher, or from the eagle himself.”

Visitors are asked not to take photos during the Fallen Warrior Ceremony.

A Giveaway, where gifts are given to an honoree and Naming Ceremonies, where families want to give a spiritual or “Indian” name to an individual are other examples of “specials.”

The Wacipi Grounds are north of Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and south of County Road 42. There will be free parking and a shuttle from the parking lots to the grounds.

The public is invited to the event. Admission buttons are $10 and cover the entire weekend and a meal on Saturday. The buttons can be purchased at smscwacipi.org or at Little Six Casino, Mazopiya, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, the Mystic Lake Store at the Mall of America and the Shakopee Dakota Convenience Store.

“I have a lot of friends in Shakopee, Prior Lake, who have lived in this area all their lives and they’ve never been to a Pow Wow, even though they live right next door,” Miller said. “This is to show the rest of the country we’re here, this culture is alive and thriving. ... It’s a great event.”

Those who are 60 years old or older or 10 years old or younger can receive free admission.