School is back in session at St. Joseph’s Indian School, and staff and students are hard at work preparing for the powwow of the wakhaŋeža – the blessed little ones. Annually on the third Saturday of September, the school hosts the powwow, which is open to the public. Some one hundred ten St. Joseph’s students and more dancers from around the region will participate in beautiful Native American regalia on Sept. 21, 2024.
The students take pride and joy in being able to express themselves through traditional Lakota songs and dance. On September 11, both boys and girls will perform a dance demonstration to display their talents and knowledge of their culture in a royalty competition.
On Friday, September 20, cultural activities start in the morning at the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center and Rec Center. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. don’t miss the open house at the school’s new Equine Therapy Center. A cultural performance at the Rec Center begins at 3:30 p.m. Visitors can tour the school and campus.
On Saturday morning, they can visit the homes and Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel. The wačhípi – powwow – begins with a blessing of the powwow grounds. Grand entry and powwow start at noon sharp, and Mass is at 5 p.m. with a complimentary meal to follow.
St. Joseph’s students have enjoyed traditional dance on campus since the 1950s when Brother Mathias made sure it was part of celebrations and even took students touring as far away as Notre Dame to share the cultural tradition. The school began a public, traditional children’s powwow in 1976 to celebrate connections to tradition, spirituality, Uŋčí Makȟa – Grandmother Earth – and one another. It is a social, personal and spiritual event.
The powwow is free and handicap accessible. In the case of rain, the powwow moves to the Chamberlain Armory. For more information and a complete schedule of events, don’t hesitate to contact St. Joseph’s Indian School at 605-234-3313 or visit stjo.org/powwow.
