Winners of the 2016 Mid Winter Wacipi Men's Traditional Challenge: 1st place: Waylon Gaddie; 2nd place: Inyan Eagle Elk; 3rd place: Coleman Eagle Elk; 4th place: Jarred Fallis; 5th place: Wesley New Holy Sr. Photo courtesy Jeanette Eagle Hawk

Dancers celebrate at Oglala 2nd Annual Mid-Winter Wacipi
By Natalie Hand
For the Native Sun News
www.nsweekly.com

OGLALA –– Over 100 dancers of all ages celebrated the beginning of Spring at the 2nd Annual Mid-Winter Wacipi held at Isna Wica Owayawa (Loneman School) on March 18-20, 2016.

Chris Eagle Hawk served as the eyapaha and Melvin Young Bear was the arena director. There were six drums in attendance, including Sons of the Oglala, White River Crossing, Porcupine Singers, Crazy Horse Singers, Elk Nation, and Mahpiya Maza. Oglala Ridge Store/Tom Vocu was the proud sponsor of this year’s drum pay-out. ReMember Group also contributed a donation for the drum split. Arrowhead Foods donated water and cough drops to the singers.

Elder drum keepers in attendance offered woksape (words of encouragement) and blessed a drum that was recently gifted to 18 year-old Cante’ Maza Hand, the son of Floyd and Natalie Hand. Hand is a member of the Crazy Horse Singers drum group. A “Knowledge of Songs” traditional singing contest was pledged for the 2017 wacipi in his honor.

This year’s event included a committee-sponsored Men’s Traditional Challenge special, open to all adult traditional dancers. Contestants competed in five sessions over the weekend, often dancing “ironman” style, to seven straight songs, without a break.

For the second straight year, Waylon Gaddie, of Lost Dog Community was the champion of this special. Gaddie was awarded cash, a jacket and a large trophy.

Other finalists receiving a jacket and cash prize included: 2nd place: Inyan Eagle Elk; 3rd place: Coleman Eagle Elk; 4th place: Jarred Fallis; 5th place: Wesley New Holy Sr. Additionally, all other contestants in this special were given a consolation prize.

“We want to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers and most importantly, all of the singers and dancers that came to participate in this year’s powwow,” added Bear Robe.

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