Native Sun News Today: Powwow returns to Black Hills after COVID-19 absence

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Executive Director of Visit Rapid City, Brook Kaufman, presents a $5,000 check to He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate board including Eyapaha Whitney Rencountre, President Steven Yellow Hawk, and Vice-President Dew Bad Warrior-Ganje. Photo by Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa / Native Sun News Today

‘He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate’ returns after two years

‘Come Dance With Us’ and make our community a better place

Monday, October 3, 2022

By Ernestine Anunkasan Hupa

Native Sun News Today Assistant Editor

nativesunnews.today

RAPID CITY, South Dakota — 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 October 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.”