Winter Wacipi a success

The 11th annual Flandreau Santee Sioux winter powwow, or Waniyetu Wacipi (waniyetu-winter wacipi- dance), drew a large crowd from across the region this year as Mother Nature helped clear the way for safe travel.
In fact, the event this year drew the most dancers that its ever had approximately 120.
The same powwow a year ago saw smaller numbers due to one of the first massive snowstorms of the 2022-23 winter season.
Families and friends from South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa and Canada, reunited and visited around the exterior of the Wicoicaga Otipi Community Center gymnasium while 14 drum groups, along with singers and dancers competed for prize money across the generations.
Grand Entries each day as well, celebrated a number of attendees from tribal elders to young royalty, families, and military.
Stephanie Bowstring, of Bemidji, MN, returned as a vendor for the third year in a row selling handmade bead work, ribbon skirts and other items. Its just so welcoming, the people have made it so welcoming to come back. Everyone is so friendly and every year I connect with someone new here.
Bowstring, of Leech Lake, MN and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, attended her freshman year of high school at Flandreau Indian School. She said she appreciates that the powwow gives her a prompt and opportunity each year to return.
Every year we put this on to simply create a safe environment for our people and especially the children to simply be themselves. To enjoy each others company through song and dance. Its a very beautiful part of who we are, said Dusty Beaulieu, FSSTs Lead Dakota Language Program Instructor and one of the primary organizers of the event.
We were able to take care of the people for a very short while. It takes a lot of planning and long hours but worth every minute. I could not ask for a better life. We are already planning for next year. Dakod wicohan kin teunhindapi do – we love our way of life.