Elaina Red Shirt at the 31st Annual Oglala Lakota Nation Wacipi Rodeo Fair in August 2016. Photo by Powwow Central
Red Shirt completes whirlwind year as Miss He Sapa Win
By Tom Crash
Lakota Country Times Correspondent
lakotacountrytimes.com RAPID CITY – Elaina Red Shirt just turned 18, she’s from Allen, a senior at Bennett County high school and on October 8, during the 30th annual 30th annual He Sapa Wacipi in Rapid City at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, she’ll relinquish her crown as Miss He Sapa Win. “This has been a busy year representing the Black Hills Pow Wow, we’ve been to the Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, Denver March, Salt Lake City, Ft. Berthold, Oglala Nation and just recently to Cannonball,” said Red Shirt. “You don’t always realize how much responsibility is involved in this role or the responsibility of being a positive role model to the many young people you meet and connect with.” When Elaina was six, she was named Little Miss Wild Horse Butte, at seven she was Little Miss Oglala Nation; she’s been Little Miss Teca Okolakiciya, Junior Miss Oglala Nation and Miss Red Feather Society. Elaina would like to try out for Miss Indian World but more importantly, she plans to go on to college, working on a degree in the medical field after graduating from high school next spring. “Yes, there are always distractions, there is alcohol and drugs wherever you go and when I first started high school, it was really hard, you had to deal with bullying and peer pressure,” said Elaina. “You set goals and with strong family support you stay focused and continue to work on them every day.”
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Elaina sponsored a jingle dress special during this year’s wacipi, ages 18-39 with prize money at $1,000, $800, $600, $400 and $200 with 10 consolation prizes. This year’s 30th annual He Sapa Wacipi runs Oct. 7-9 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center; there’s $100,000 in prize money, grand entries were Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 1pm and 7pm and Sunday at 1pm. Champions of the Northern Plains singing contest featured $33,000 in prize money, $12,000, $9,000, $6,000, $4,000 and $2,000. Friday opened with a youth day and the weekend includes a hand game tournament, a walk/run, fine arts show and archery and golf tournaments. Dance specials included two men’s traditional specials, a junior boy’s traditional special and a hat and boot 40 and over special. Find the award-winning Lakota Country Times on the Internet, Facebook and Twitter and download the new Lakota Country Times app today.
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