The 48th Annual St. Joseph’s Indian School Powwow is September 21. Students have been hard at work practicing dance and drum group since their August 11 return to campus.
As is the tradition, a royalty competition set the final days of preparation for the event in motion on Wednesday, September 11. The evening opened with prayer led by Fr. Greg Schill, SCJ, who praised the students for the robust turnout and reminded them of the scriptural teaching that whatever is done for the least of one’s brothers and sisters is done for God. Next, Sharla, Associate Native American Studies Teacher, joined by powwow royalty competitors, led the flag song.
Five young women competed for Miss St. Joseph’s, and 14 for Junior Miss St. Joseph’s. Eleven young men presented for Eagle Staff Bearer. Contestants submitted written interview questions, introduced themselves in Lakota, demonstrated one dance and answered questions from staff judges.
This year’s Miss St. Joseph’s is Angelina, a senior fancy and jingle dancer.
“When I am in my regalia, that’s when I feel most grounded. My culture is who I am, not who I want to or have to be,” said Angelina.
Two tied for the runner-up slot: seventh graders Persais and Aleighya.
Jr. Miss St. Joseph’s went to Secret, a fifth grader who dances both traditional and fancy. She expressed the importance of the Lakota value of generosity. Another fifth-grader, Americka, was runner-up.
Hehaka Wambli “Tristan,” a seventh grader, placed first for Eagle Staff Bearer. Tristan is a traditional dancer who said that when he dances he feels a powerful and spiritual connection with his ancestors. Darnel, an eighth grader, placed as runner-up.
The wačhípi – powwow – is free and open to the public with handicap accessibility. For more information and a complete schedule of events, contact St. Joseph’s Indian School at 605-234-3313 or visit stjo.org/powwow.
If you cannot attend in person, follow postings and live updates virtually with St. Joseph’s Indian School on Facebook at www.stjo.org/facebook. In case of rain, the powwow moves to the Chamberlain Armory.
