Amelia Schafer
ICT + Rapid City Journal
SPEARFISH, S.D. – Tristine Cross Dog has participated in the annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi for years. When the Oglala Lakota woman was 11 years old, she rejoined the powwow circle here as a women’s traditional dancer. Now, the Applied Science Major is participating on a different side, as co-president of Lakota Omniciye – the Black Hills State University Native Student Union.
Entering its 39th year, the annual powwow is dedicated to educating the surrounding community about Indigenous culture and celebrating the community. This year’s theme is “Contemporary Native Art Guided by Traditional Hands.”
“A powwow is like a display because it’s bringing surrounding dancers and all kinds of beadwork, regalia, quillwork and feathers,” Cross Dog said. “A lot of people have teachings behind their art whether it’s photography or beadwork, there’s different stories that bring light to it. They spend countless hours creating their art.”
The competition powwow will run from noon until 9 p.m. on April 13 in the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center. Dancers are welcome to come earlier, as doors open at 11 a.m. Admission is $8 for the general public but free for Black Hills State University students, staff, children under five, and those over 55. Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs.
Day pay is available for tiny tots, who are dancers under five years old, and Golden Age dancers, who are adults over 55 years-old. The other categories will have prize money awarded for first-place, second-place and third-place winners.
Over $8,000 is available in prize money.
“This powwow has been a way for me to bond with my dad,” Cross Dog said. “It brings us together as a family and I’m the happiest I can be in the (powwow) circle. Dancing just brings me a lot of happiness.”
The Lakota Omniciye will raffle off several different items during the powwow to raise funds for future events, including a Black Hills State University medallion made by student Sapphire Tiger, a satin star quilt, a ribbon skirt, a porcupine roach made by Cross Dog’s father and other pieces of beadwork. Raffle tickets are $2 for one ticket or $5 for three tickets.
The Lakota Omniciye serves as a place for Indigenous Black Hills State University students to gather and feel at home. The powwow has been an integral part of the organization for 39 years, sometimes bringing in over 2,000 participants from the surrounding states.
“For me personally this is a part of my culture and I really love that Black Hills State is doing this and wanting this to get better and get bigger throughout the years,” said Sapphire Tiger, Mniconju Lakota and vice-president of Lakota Omniciye.
This year, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe veterans will lead the noon Grand Entry and later in the day will host an honor song for the powwow committee. The group also will be honoring Tiger as she prepares to graduate.
“They want to honor our hard work and dedication,” she said.
Lakota Omniciye members begin planning for the next powwow immediately after the current powwow ends. Students spend months gathering and making materials to raffle off and raising money for the event.
“Being a part of this committee for the past three years has been the best,” Cross Dog said. “We (Lakota Omniciye) want to bring the community together and show them that no one has to be alone here.”
The powwow will finish out Black Hills State University’s American Indian Awareness Week. Throughout the week leading up to the powwow, the university is hosting a series of Indigenous artists and changemakers for different forums and discussions.
Speakers include: Myah Red Horse, Collins Provost-Fields, Kinsale Drake, Eunice Straight Head, Talon Ducheneaux, Jhon Goes In Center, and Indi.Go.Go. Studios. All American Indian Awareness Week sessions are open to the public and several are available for streaming online.
For more information on American Indian Awareness Week or the powwow, visit BHSU.edu/CAIS.
This story is co-published by the Rapid City Journal and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the South Dakota area.
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