FLANDREAU – As the sun was setting on the horizon and the air began to cool, members of the  Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Post marching in unison to the beat of Lakota Tribes’ drum, led the Okawingapi (Grand Entry), which kicked off the 46th Annual Mdewakanton Traditional Wacipi in Flandreau.
The Wacipi, which is celebrated along the banks where waters from the Big Sioux River trickle gently by, began Friday evening July 18 and ended Sunday afternoon July 20. The Powwow grounds were built amongst the trees, which provided much needed shade for the hundreds of guests as they Waci, Ihata, Oskate, Odowan, Wacekiya na Wota (danced, laughed, played, sang, prayed and feasted) together for three exciting days.
In an awesome display of vibrant color that reflected the time honored culture and traditions of the Isanti Oyate, the Okawingapi began around 7:00 led by Dennis Quigley, Randy Bernard, Guy Zephier and Darrel Mirreaux who carried into the circle the Wanbdi Wapaha (the Eagle Staffs). They were followed by Victor Allen, Martin Bernard, Scott Anderson, Sam Allen and Dave Williams all members of the Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Post. Next to enter the arena were members of Bravo Company from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and all of the other visiting Akicita (Color Guards) from the surrounding area. Next to enter were the tribal royalty followed by all the dance categories each clad in clothing reminiscent of their ancestors yet embellished with modern materials.
Throughout the Grand Entry, Iyapaha Butch Felix introduced each dance category as Arena Director Brian Decoteau ushered them in.
Immediately following the Grand Entry, powwow committee Chairman David Ross welcomed all to the Flandreau Santee Sioux Reservation and said he hoped their stay would be an enjoyable one. Friday evening was filled with exhibition and intertribal dancing as well as a Wacipi favorite, a Rabbit Dance.
The staff from Natural Resources John Bechen, GIS Coordinator and Liz Wakeman, Director of the Brownsfield Program as well as members of the Earthwise Committee presented Jacqueline Allen, daughter of Sam and Deloris Allen and Antonia Serrano daughter of Dawn and Marcus Serrano with handsomely crafted star quilts in recognition of their volunteer work on Earth Day to earn money for the Earthwise Committee.
“We honored them because of their volunteer work at the concession during the Healthy Start Powwow. They helped out until about one o’clock in the morning,” Wakeman said.
The Summer Youth who assist at Natural Resources were also honored and danced in the circle.
Friday evening the colors were retired around 10:30 as people left to rest and prepare for another day of activities.
Early Saturday morning Tom Allen Jr. conducted a naming ceremony for the children of Bruce and Amanda Allen who then hosted an Itunhan (give away) in their children’s honor. Their daughter Marilyn was given the name is Tanyan Ihduha Win (She Who Walks With Grace) Their son David was given the name “Works for the people” and Julian is “He who prays for peace”
Saturdays afternoon’s Grand Entry was more spectacular then Fridays as more Akicita, dancers, singers and onlookers had arrived for the 46th Annual Mdewakanton Traditional Omniciye (gathering). Akicita representing most of the Lakota and Dakota tribes marched their flags into the arena.
Saturdays afternoon session was filled with more intertribal and exhibition dancing.
During the supper break two new princesses were crowned. The first contest was the crowning of the new Jr. Miss Indian Princess Contest for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe representing the Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Post.
Contestants were Kenna Quick Bear, Beverly Bursheim, Vanessa Goodthunder and Page Howe. 
Traditional dancer Kenna Quick Bear “Hehaka To Sa Win” (Purple Elk Woman) from the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, daughter of Camille Green was crowned by out going Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Post Princess Larrisa No Braid from Denver, Colo.
(Pictured to the left: Kenna Quick Bear 2008 GWP Princess)
“I have many relatives that are veterans, nephews, cousins, uncles, grandfathers, and I dance at powwows for them. I am drug and alcohol free and want to be a good role model for others. I will attend as many powwows as need be for the veterans,” Hehaka To Sa Win said.
The contest for 2008 FSST Wacipi Princess was next on the  agenda. Those that vied for the title were Bethany “Pa Hin Zi Win” Robertson, Marilyn Allen, Cante Waste Unhan Win Hemminger, Sydney Howe, Gianna Strong, Maria Milda and Meliah Rose World Turner.
Outgoing Princess Beverly Bursheim of Flandreau crowned the new 2008 FSST Wacipi Princess, Marilyn Allen, “Tanyan Ihduha Win” (She Who Walks With Grace) daughter of Amanda and Bruce Allen of Flandreau.
(Pictured to the right: Marilyn Allen 2008 FSST Wacipi Princess)
“I want to honor my tribe and I want to represent all Native people and I want to make my family and my tribe proud,” the newly crowned Princess Allen said.
Then the family of outgoing princess Beverly Bursheim “Sweet Grass They Brought Her” hosted a teen girls fancy dance special in which she gave away a horse and a beautiful star quilt to the winner. Taking home the prize of the evening was Brooklyn Bernard of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate.
Special guest of honor during the Saturday evening Grand Entry was U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-S.D.) who spoke about the need to increase benefits for veterans, improve Indian Health Care and Indian Education.
Then the family of outgoing princess Larissa No Braid who had traveled to Flandreau all the way from Denver, Colorado sponsored a give away in her honor.
The last event of the evening was a Pink Shawl special sponsored by the FSST Clinic for breast cancer awareness. Tracy Baum, CNP at the FSST clinic, was the coordinator for the event in which 50 pink shawls were given away to cancer survivors and family of cancer survivors. Baum encouraged all women present to receive screening for early detection of breast cancer, which could save their lives.
Saturday night ended with a bang in a spectacular fireworks display that lit up the sky above the powwow grounds, which was sponsored by the Royal River Casino.
Sunday’s activities included a hilarious Clown Dance special sponsored by the FSST Wacipi Committee. Winner of the event was Chaske Hemminger of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, which wrapped up another year for the Mdewakanton Traditional Wacipi. Meals were provided  each day by the Royal River Casino.
More than 300 dancers showed up to share the weekend with the people of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, with 23 drums registering including; Elk Boy, Dakota Nation, Big Stone, All Nation, Thunder Bear, Lakota Tribe, Toka Nuwan, Eagle Spirit, Buffalo Lake, High Trail, Ridge Runners, Wahpe Kute, Iron Boy, Indian Creek, Dakota Boyz, Skunk Hollow, Rock Bottom, Eagle Voice, Thunder Boyz, Iyakapta, Buffalo Nation, Rivers Edge and Emerson Baker.
Visiting royalty were: Lil Miss Santee - Ilea Shields, Jr. Miss Crow Creek - Talaune Mirreaux, Miss Santee and Miss Ihanktonwan Oyate - Christina Hambelton, Miss Honoring Veterans Wacipi - Kiari World Turner, Jr. Miss Cheyenne River - Kelsey Makes Room For Them, Jr. Miss Isanti - Aurellia Payer, Little Miss FSST Healthy Start - Lily Mae Smith, Miss FSST Princess - Marilyn Allen, Bravo Princess - Wakanda Gonsalves, Lil Miss Ihantonwan Oyate - Angelita Zephier, Gordon Weston Post Princess - Kenna Quick Bear, Jr. Miss Tata Tope SWO - Hannah Genia, Sr. Miss SWO - Kimanana Waste’ Win Heminger, Jr. Miss SWO Sandman - Maycee Crawford - Jr. Miss Ihanktowan Akicita - Hannah Rose Arrow, Miss Ft. Randall Casino Indian Day Celebration - Evalene Arrow, Lil Miss Ihanktonwan Akicita - Markayla Yellow Horse, Miss SWO Sandman Honorguard Princess - Brooklyn Kaye Bernard, Miss USD Tiospeya Vermillion - Myrna Anderson, Sisseton Wahpeton Vietnam Veterans Dakota Kit Fox Society Princess - Lonice Seaboy, Mini Miss Cheyenne River - Genevieve Rae Iron Lightning, Miss Upper Sioux - Tessa Quinn, Mahka to - Winona Goodthunder.
HATS OFF TO THE FSST POW-WOW COMMITTEE for their hard work and for a job well done! Members of the FSST Pow Wow Committee:
David Ross, Cyndi Weddell, Annie Wakeman, Tom Allen, Jr., Scott Anderson, Garrie Kills A Hundred, Brooki Corcoran, Becky Rederth, Dawn Serrano, Marcie Wakeman, and Ericka Kaup.
A special thanks to Bruce Allen for lending his camper and setting it up for the FSST Clinic staff to “man” the first aid station at the pow wow grounds. FSST Clinic staff that volunteered their time during the pow wow: Dolores Allen, Richard Allen, Jr. Patty Johanson, Adele Davis, Marge Martin, Traci Baum, Dr. Siverson, and Grant McAdargh.
Pidamaya!! |
