2017 Sioux Empire Wacipi
All are welcome to the annual Sioux Empire Wacipi on December 15-17, 2017 at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Sioux Empire Wacipi will draw hundreds of powwow dancers, singers and drum groups from more than 500 tribes from the US and Canada to the 7,500 seat Sioux Falls Arena in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There, they will participate—socially and competitively—in the Annual Sioux Empire Wacipi. This is an event for all ages and backgrounds and everyone is welcome!
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Sioux Empire Wacipi
What makes this a historical event is that it is the first event of this size and purpose that has taken place in eastern South Dakota. Sioux Falls is named for the Sioux Tribe of American Indians and the waterfalls of the Big Sioux River, so it is befitting such an event take place in the Sioux Empire.
TICKETS for the SIOUX EMPIRE WACIPI
This is a public event for all audiences, ages, and backgrounds—everyone is welcome! The Sioux Empire Wacipi is a come-and-go event for ticket holders who wish to watch the dances, or stroll through “Vendor Row. Vendor Row will be a specially designated area with vendor booths where American Indian artisans will be showcasing and sharing their arts and crafts and selling their wares. What’s more, both native and non-natives who are not dressed in regalia will have several opportunities to be a part of the wacipi via intertribal social dances. A number of intertribal social dances will take place that are open to all—this is when visitors and spectators will have the chance to enter the arena and dance along side the traditional dancers who are dressed in regalia.
HOURS
Friday: 7:00 PM
Saturday: 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Sunday: Noon
Head Staff
MC: Jerry Dearly, Oglala Lakota, St. Paul, Minnesota
MC: Rueben Littlehead – Northern Cheyenne, Happy Flats, MT
Head Man Dancer: Fred Fox – Arikara, White Shield, ND
Head Woman Dancer: Tooky Brady – Sac + Fox, New Town, ND
Arena Director: Rusty Gillette – Arikara + Hidatsa, Bismark, ND
Arena Director: Randy Paskemin – Plains Cree, West Valley, UT
Arena Director: Juanuin Hamilton – Sac + Fox, Shawnee, OK
Presented by title sponsor Bird, Inc., a 100% American Indian owned business and hosted by Sioux Falls’ very own The Great Plains Dance Company.
What is a Wacipi?
A wacipi (pronounced “wah-chee-pee”)— also known as a powwow —is a cultural gathering of tribal people of all ages from North American and Canada who unite for singing, dancing, celebration and socialization. A wacipi is a distinctive event that serves as a powerful cultural and social connector among Indian people and communities. In the Dakota language, the word “wacipi” means, “they dance.”
DANCE CONTESTS & PRIZES
The Sioux Empire Wacipi is an event where dancers of all levels—whether they are a novice or champion—will vie for the coveted prizes and awards. The competitions will be divided into age categories and dance styles determined by the regalia they wear and style of dance.
Dance Contests
Singing Contest – No Day Pay $10000 $7000 $5000 $4000 $1000
Golden Age: 55+ Combined $1000 $700 $500 $300
Sr. Adults: 36–54 Fancy, Grass, Jingle, Traditional $1000 $700 $500 $300
Jr. Adults: 18–35 Fancy, Grass, Jingle, Traditional $1000 $700 $500 $300
Men’s Chicken: 18+ $1000 $700 $500 $300
Tiny Tot Boys: 5 & Under
Tiny Tot Girls: 5 & Under
Awards and prizes are presented for dancing technique, such as stopping on the correct foot with the last beat of the drum and appropriate composure during the entire powwow.
Sioux Empire Pow Wow Location
W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds
100 N Lyon Boulevard
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
(605) 367-7178
Sioux Empire Pow Wow Contacst:
The Great Plains Dance Company, LLC & Bird Inc.
Phone: 605-595-3546
Presented by Bird, Inc.
Hosted by The Great Plains Dance Company
Event Producer
Shining Elk Entertainment + Production Co.
Phone 310.922.1886
Email michelleshiningelk@me.com
Vendor Booth Coordination
Katt Chapin 701-421-8545
Sioux Falls Host Hotels
Sheraton Sioux Falls Conv. Center, 1211 NW Ave., 605-331-0100
Ramada Sioux Falls, 407 S. Lyons Ave., 605-330-0000
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Sioux Empire Wacipi in December at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Tags: Sioux Empire Wacipi, Sioux Empire Powwow, Sioux Empire Pow Wow, South Dakota Powwow, South Dakota Pow Wow