Powwow preparation a painstaking, costly endeavor

Locals prepare for Black Hills powwow, one of the nation’s largest

RAPID CITY, S.D. – After three years, Cante Lovejoy, Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota, is ready to dance her style in the Monument arena, this time alongside her daughters and a group of young dancers she helped to mentor.

Lovejoy and fellow class leaders Morningstar Hill and Lloyd Big Crow have spent the past three weeks helping local youth prepare for the Black Hills powwow, one of the largest events of the year. Through Oaye Luta Okolakiciye (OLO), an Indigenous-led nonprofit, local youth can access free sewing and crafting materials and education about powwow dance styles.

“There are kids that are interested, they see the powwow, and they want to dance,” Big Crow, Oglala Lakota, and an OLO male mentor said. “We want to find avenues for them to participate and fill that gap (in knowledge).”

Indigenous youth experience disproportionately high rates of suicide, mental illness and poverty. Culture-based, community-led programming has been shown through several research studies to be effective in preventing and reducing suicide and self-harming behaviors in Indigenous youth.

“Not a lot of kids’ parents have the resources to do this,” Lovejoy said. “We keep these kids out of trouble and allow them to learn about themselves.”

Lovejoy began dancing as a young child with the help of her mom and grandma, who beaded and sewed her fancy shawl regalia and encouraged her to enter the powwow circle. Lovejoy said she joined OLO three weeks ago to help be that type of mentor for youth.

“I want to be that type of role model,” Lovejoy said.

Cultural programming can come in many forms, from trips to sacred sites, education on ceremonies and sacred medicines, learning more about dancing and song, or just the ability to feel supported by a community.

“All they want is somebody to listen to them,” Big Crow said.

Preparing for major events such as the Black Hills powwow can also give youth something to be excited about.

One of the largest powwows in the United States, He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate, or the Black Hills powwow, is set to begin on Oct. 6 at the Summit Arena in The Monument and run throughout the weekend.

This year, Black Hills powwow has seven winning placements per category and over 30 dance categories split by style, age group and gender. Day pay is also provided to families of toddlers who dance in the tiny tot category.

The first-place prize for dancers in each respective category is $1,100 for adults, $400 for teens (13-17) and $250 for juniors (youth ages 6-12).

Last year, the powwow achieved a record-breaking attendance of 18,000 people from across North America and over 1,100 registered dancers. This year is already breaking records, with $150,000 available in prize money.

There’s a lot of work that goes into a powwow, especially a major contest powwow like He Sapa Wacipi, and there’s also a lot of work and money that goes into being a dancer, work that can be difficult to learn about for those outside of the powwow circle.

Contest powwows judge participants by skill set, footwork, and regalia. There are also lots of rules that can be difficult to understand to those outside of the circle.

Dancing offbeat, losing pieces of regalia and failing to stop on the last drum beat can all disqualify a contest dancer. He Sapa Wacipi dancers are judged on a point system beginning at the first grand entry at 7 p.m. on Friday night.

Making regalia, the outfit worn by a dancer, can also be difficult financially. Regalia is not only extremely time-consuming but also expensive. Dancers choose specific colors they’ll be wearing, beadwork designs and other details to personalize their regalia.

Regalia making involves beading, quilling, featherwork, leatherwork, applique and hours of sewing. Every design is original, and everything is handmade, meaning it can take months to complete something. Some styles require more pieces than others.

OLO is helping to eliminate cost barriers by providing crafting materials, sewing machines and guidance to youth during the weekly regalia-making. Aside from providing materials, dance lessons are also taught by OLO organizers.

Big Crow himself didn’t grow up with a lot of knowledge about his Lakota culture and wants to make sure his sons don’t experience that same gap in knowledge. His sons are both learning to dance and creating their first regalia sets through OLO. Both of his sons want to dance traditional styles, and Big Crow is learning with them.

“Every day I’m learning, my kids have seen a change in me, too,” Big Crow said.

Each dance style has a different history, and even the newer styles like men’s and women’s fancy styles bring unique teachings and knowledge. OLO organizers and volunteers also provide the history behind each dance style, as well as weekly dance and drum practice.

For anyone in the general public who would like to learn more about powwows and powwow etiquette, He Sapa Wacipi organizers will be providing Powwow 101 sessions separate from the event for anyone who wants to learn powwow etiquette or just more in general.

This year, contemporary jingle will be a separate category from old-style jingle. Jingle dress dancing has been one of the most popular styles seen at Black Hills powwow. Men’s contemporary traditional will also be a separate category this year.

OLO is aiming for all eight participants in the regalia-making program to be ready in time to hit the arena floor at 7 p.m. Friday night. 

Dateline:

RAPID CITY, S.D.