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Crowds fill civic center for powwow
Kayla Gahagan, Journal staff
Spectators gather around as the North Bear Drum Group from Lame Deer, Mont., builds to a crescendo Saturday at the Black Hills Pow Wow in Rapid City. The event concludes today at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. (Photo by Dick Kettlewell, Journal staff)
RAPID CITY -- It wasn’t their turn yet, but members of the Thunder Valley singing group simply couldn’t wait. They softly tapped the tips of their drumsticks in unison with the beat of the drummers next to them and listened for their group name to be called.
In a couple of minutes, it would be their turn. The thick yellow blanket protecting the drum in the center of their circle would be pulled off, and the youngest group at the 21st annual He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate -- or Black Hills Pow Wow -- would put rubber to rawhide and beat out their own rhythm.
With prompting from the echo of an announcer, 13-year-old Jerome LeBeaux and seven other members of the group began their percussion and song, their youthful voices drawing attention from a crowd used to adult singers.
“I’m excited they came,” Black Hills Pow Wow Board member Misty Mousseaux said. “They’ll probably be champion singers in ten years.”
For more from Mousseaux about the powwow and Rapid City, click here.
That’s what they dream about, said Jerome, whose sisters, Tacie, 9, and Tea, 10, also are in the group.
“We can pretend we’re in a tie breaker with some big famous group,” he said.
For now, they practice back in Thunder Valley once a week and try to recruit young singers -- usually as young as kindergarten age -- to join the group and travel to powwows. Their youngest member, Jai Knight, is 6. She started a year ago.
Young people, just as much as old people and everyone in between, are what they like to see at these powwows, Mousseaux said, because “it gives us a good future.”
This year’s powwow, held Friday through Sunday at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, attracted people of all ages and from all over the country, with 813 registered dancers and almost 40 different drum groups. Thirty five tribes were represented, Mousseaux said, and $50,000 in prize money was awarded.
Robert Simpson of Helena, Mont., was one of the many dancers to leave the floor Saturday afternoon, breathing heavy and sounding jingles and bells with every step. Simpson said he’s from the Northern Cheyenne tribe of Lame Deer, Mont., and attends a powwow “every weekend that I can.”
He doesn’t come for the money, although it does help with travel expenses, he said.
“I dance for the people,” he said, motioning to the spectators camped out in the bleachers. “I dance for the people that can’t dance … and maybe, it will help one person feel good.”
His tribal regalia -- yellow, blue and red beadwork, fringe and feathers -- blended into a sea of colors filling the auditorium.
“I make it all myself,” he said. “When you go to powwows, you learn. The beadwork lasts forever. The fringes, I have to keep redoing.”
The beautiful colors and dancing were only one of the sights visitor Bertie Parker was taking in. Toting a digital camera and her family, Parker didn’t hesitate to stop and ask some of the younger dancers to pose for a picture.
“It’s incredible,” she said. “It’s exciting.”
The powwow was on a list of must-sees in the area, she said.
“We came here to see the traditional Indian, the buffalo hunt, the wild horses,” she said.
First-time visitors are more than welcome, Mousseaux said, adding that the board specifically tried this year to get the local community more involved. It worked, she said, with local business and non-Native volunteers giving time, money and security assistance to the event.
“It’s a positive thing because now, we can get other people from the community here, and it will open more doors,” she said.
In conjunction with the powwow, the Black Hills Pow Wow Association also sponsored the Black Hills Thunder Classic softball tournament and the Second Annual Wacante Ognake skateboard tournament Saturday.
All the hard work has paid off, Mousseaux said.
“We do this for the community and because the dancers keep coming back,” she said, noting all the hard work of the volunteers. “We do it because we want to do it.”
Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com
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Rapid Reply
Tradish Chic wrote on Oct 10, 2007 3:44 PM:
" Also....Mr. Robert Simpson didn't make that outfit as he stated in the article, I believe it was given to him from MR. Darrell Goodwill! "
Tradish Chic wrote on Oct 10, 2007 3:42 PM:
" Well, I really enjoyed the powwow this year, it's always enjoyable dancing and hearing all the awesome songs...and this year there were some AWESOME songs! This year there were a lot of dancers from all over the country, alot of well known dancers and drums as well! Kudos to the powwow committee....As for the comments on the room prices, call around the price ranges around town vary to meet your price range. I felt that they were average prices with anywhere in the U.S. at any powwow. I do feel that powwow committees need to realize though that contest dancing and singing should only be about contest dancing and singing....all the parades, walk/runs, and diabetes checks shouldn't be apart of it. People like to come and relax, dance, sing, and visit old friends/family, they don't want to have to worry about getting here and there for extra points.....Anyway, great job and I look forward to next year! "
missdeville wrote on Oct 9, 2007 5:29 PM:
" Good Job to all the volunteers who worked so whole heartedly all year long! I volunterred for 4 hours on Friday, it is hard work, but well worth it! Good Job to the Board and Misty Rose and Paula for putting up with dancers who just cannot lose without their drama fits.They can dance traditional, but their heart speaks money in the end. We have upcoming singers and dancers who are giving our veteran dancers and singers a run for their money,however, we must continue to support all who come into the circle.
It was a an awesome pow wow! "
nicetovisit wrote on Oct 9, 2007 1:16 PM:
" We had a nice trip while in Rapid City from ND, but racism is still alive and well in SD. (I graduated from St. Paul's HS, Marty, SD in 197?, and was glad to leave SD.) I can't imagine living there, as I am so vocal and can just anticipate problems resulting therefrom. My children have Dakota blood, so I enjoy exposing them to their Dakota/Lakota culture. We were privileged and honored to be in the presence of one of the SD chiefs who is currently wheelchair bound. He was eloquent in his address to the people; his comments were moving. We saw an Iraqi veteran, and it was evident the memory of where he had returned from was still fresh on his mind. We saw Native entrepreneurs marketing the Tanka Bar. This was a wonderful festival. We saw perseverance personified in Miss Indian Nations, as she had successfully run for this title. The only downer was the memorial contests, as these sad events were not the way to end the pow-wow. "
Lakota Native wrote on Oct 9, 2007 10:43 AM:
" A place like this Rapid Reply should not be allowed, as all you are gonna hear is the whiners, all the negative, never anything positive especially when it comes to Native Americans, if you have opinions or gripes nothing good to say keep it to yourself!!!! "
Win Big or go home! wrote on Oct 8, 2007 11:58 PM:
" Good job Paula and Misti, you gals are strong for being there all the way through. Don't worry about the complainers they are at every competition, what ever happen to losing gracefully? you guys should never have paid the complainer. Great weekend of good times, old/ new friends, and Indian Taco's...mmm enough said. "
Job well done. wrote on Oct 8, 2007 7:41 PM:
" Thank you Black Hills Powwow for allowing us to all gather at this astounding event. We all got to come dance and sing this weekend. The judges make all the decisions on the dance floor arena and pick on their score sheet who they feel did a good job. I did judge this weekend too. I heard of the mishap last night after the event. I hope you ladies didn't get bullied and I hope you stood your ground. Where was the rest of the board? Commendable job and good efforts, my prayers and positive emotions head your way these next weeks. Good job Paula and Misti, you stuck it out to the end where was everyone else? Glad you guys are like all the rest of the huge championship dances and say results are final! PST "
Wow where did that come from? wrote on Oct 8, 2007 7:31 PM:
" Hey Curious and Noisy, I would just like to say my family and Stepahnie mentioned our names for the adoption during her speech are from the Sicangu Nation. We wish to not be in this for money or personal growth, we do it for family and virtues. Be positive on all the things that came of this weekend , our people came together and danced, thats what we do for celebration and prayer. From a powwow person to the rest, great time and see you all on the trail! Lets focus on all the good feelings and expressions not the little things. I'll be back to dance with you all in the hills next year. MNH. "
My Tiospaya adopted Mrs. Herseth Sandlin, not Mrs. Mousseau... wrote on Oct 8, 2007 7:25 PM:
" Greeting powwow readers, I am of the Lakota Oyate Nation and work hard to make sure all my children get to the powwow to dance, be with friends and listen to the music which is the heartbeat of our nation. My family did adopt Stephanie into it due to her good heart. She is a wise woman, and has a strong heart, she has always welcomed my family and comes to dinner and is understanding of our land, which is sacred. I did attend the powwow and it was a WONDERFUL, PERFECT powwow I was so pleased to see the different dancers from all over the Nation come in and place. I do hope you stood your ground and didn't get bullied by a dancer who is known for spreading gossip anyway, wow and dancing again, I thought the eagle feather bussels were stolen? Good job ladies, you are all so warm and welcoming. I think this was a great success, your gals and guy should be commended I am so glad you ladies do this every year, my whole family keeps going out there from Rosebud territory. You did good. "
A Proud Auntie wrote on Oct 8, 2007 11:14 AM:
" Thunder Valley is awesome! I hope the older crowd sees what innocent determination these young people have! Learn from them! Its sad that nowadays young people are good role models to the older ones!
But anyway..good job kids..your voices are powerful and give dancers strength!! "
AJ Hartje wrote on Oct 8, 2007 10:42 AM:
" To Lakota Cowboy: It certainly will impact your descendants. Especially once you teach them to also dwell on what you believe are past injustices, rather than on what they can do to have successful lives. It's interesting that you believe the tribes owned the land, though. The fact remains that they couldn't hold it. And, yes, if the rule of law broke down in this country, the stronger would again be able to roll over the weak. It's happened throughout the world throughout history. For someone who allows his grip on history to warp his present, you don't seem to have much of a perspective of history, in general. But we can agree to disagree on this. And while you'll allow yourself to be bothered by it all, I'll probably be jogging or something, enjoying life, and thinking about how I can make tomorrow an even better day than today for me and the people I love. Take care. "
Lakotacowboy wrote on Oct 8, 2007 9:27 AM:
" The issue here was that this area takes advantage of events here in Rapid City, rather than be more supportive to this cultural event and offer discounts; business owners capitalize off our people. Despite taking our land (He Sapa) that never belonged to them in the first place. If I held your perspective on this issue, anyone could roll-over my people, family and take whatever they want...considering you think it's 'inevitable'. In the bigger picture...a 'wrong' that will never be made right by this country is worth my attention as it affects my future generation! "
wqb wrote on Oct 8, 2007 7:18 AM:
" I enjoyed the weekend at the powowow, I'm a little disappointed about the prize money being so important, about the need for more attendence in the seats especially from our local Natives. The elevator was broke so my mom and aunt, both in their 70's had to walk up and down the stairs, why wasnn't it fixed? The vendors were awesome, we need to support our native artists. Especially during these times we are reminded who we are and what we have. No one can ever take away what is in our hearts, lets take good care of that, how sad that anyone world wide can just go on a computer and READ what ugly racial problems we have here thru this forum. If we can just send our minds to prayer instead of hatred. just turn from the ugliness, our silence has spoken that we ARE beyond the sticks and stones. WE ARE A PEOPLE, LET'S SHOW THAT HONOR. HO, MITAKU OYATE "
Yeah!!!!! wrote on Oct 8, 2007 12:48 AM:
" Another awsome powwow from the blackhills powwow association. I heard this organization is an all volunteer board how can i get involved with this geart event? "
A relative wrote on Oct 7, 2007 6:53 PM:
" I am now REALLY bummed I didn't go to hear THUNDER VALLEY sing...what an amazing group of singers..with such beautiful, powerful voices! "
LUTA wrote on Oct 7, 2007 6:25 PM:
" RIGHT ON , THUNDER VALLEY !!!! GO BOYZ !!! "
PARTY FREE NATIVE wrote on Oct 7, 2007 4:40 PM:
" My family and I always come and stay in RC sometimes just to get away from the rez for the weekend. This weekend we stayed at Microtel on Rapp street. When I was checking out I was accused of having to much fun, and was threatened that they would charge me an extra $50.00 because of it. I was accused of being to loud and partying, we are both sober and drug free. I was very embarrassed at what the lady was saying to me as there was other people standing waiting to check out. I did explain that the room next to us was being loud, but she refused to listen to what I was saying. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO STAY, STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE BECAUSE YOU TO MAY GET TREATED THE SAME WAY I DID! My husband went in to find out what the complaint was about, but was given a hotel business card was told to call the manager who worked at night, the phone number on the card was his work number and he already left. "
Softball Player who loves PowWows. wrote on Oct 7, 2007 1:40 PM:
" We have traveled over 500miles to play in the softball tournament and my team and I received a great rate on our rooms. We are native american and we were treated like everyone else. I think it's cause we reserved our rooms well in advance. Shouldn't wait until the last minute to try to reserve. You have to include the weekend rates that some motels/hotels have. Please lets not make this a Unfair treatment topic like every other topic on this site. whether it's indian or non-indian, somehow it ends up that way, which is really sad. I had a good weekend in rapid city, looking forward to next years. oh and you might wanna reserve your rooms in advance to lakota nation. "
DJ wrote on Oct 7, 2007 12:43 PM:
" I do not think Herseth-Sandlin was just campaigning there at this powwow. She has always been a regular there. She goes to Rosebud, Pine Ridge and I am sure Eagle Butte and Lower Brule where ever she can. She goes to these every year to let the people know that she did not forget them. Unlike the Republicans they go there only on an election year so we shall see them there next year. Granted they have there Chili Feed but that is not what the natives typically eat at a Powwow. It is the thought that counts though and at least alot of these people have a meal instead of going to a fast food restaraunt all weekend and not eat healthy. "
unci in OK wrote on Oct 7, 2007 12:08 PM:
" Way to go Thunder Valley drum!!! Show the people what you can do...wish i was there to hear you.. "
AJ Hartje wrote on Oct 7, 2007 9:43 AM:
" To LAKOTA COWBOY: It's not uncommon for prices to be jacked up for an event where the likelihood exists of people staying in the area for multiple days, as is the case with the powwow, but not with concerts. I have a difficult time believing it's discrimmination, simply because I've never known white people to view the Indians as an affluent group that will easily be able to absorb price gouging. Also, I don't think anyone has any trouble remembering who this land belongs to. It belongs to the people who currently have title to it. Property ownership has always been fluid, and no group, nation, or individual holds onto it forever. It's laughable that you believe that the first migrants should have ownership in perpetuity. While that thought may comfort you, that's not really much of a concern in the here and now. And as with many other issues, people would be best off looking toward improving their lots in life and the futures of their families, rather than dwelling on a past they cannot change. This can be done while holding on to culture. Events like the powwow show us that. Take care. "
Kokopelli wrote on Oct 7, 2007 9:41 AM:
" To "LakotaCowboy": Dude, the hotels always raise their prices during the summer, stock shows, sturgis rally, large events, etc. So please don't feel as though you are getting ripped off. Natives and Non-Natives are subject to the same scenario no matter what the venue. "
Come one and all, don't be afraid wrote on Oct 7, 2007 9:10 AM:
" The pow wow is a social event of community people of all colors. I for one say it is okay to talk about politics (but not campaigning) at pow-wows as this may be the only healthy meeting of minds that we can share in commonality. Other than going to funnerals or other captive hardships of our social activities. When we do have opportunities to meet we need to talk about the issues which affect our collective lives. The pow-wow is a format for family, community and one-on-one discussions, for visiting. Which politicians at least had the respect to show up at the pow-wow and try to experience the power and beauty of our culture. Step, Tom and Alan that I seen. Where are the other RC city council people that say we should have better relations? Where is Mr. Rounds? This pow-wow is one of the largest in the State much less the region. Take notice of who has the respect to interact with the Native community in a healthy manner. Remind them POLITICIANS of their behaviors when it's time to count coup on the ballot box! "
lakotacowboy wrote on Oct 7, 2007 8:33 AM:
" Well i can say this was my first year here for the powwow here in OUR LAKOTA,NAKOTA,DAKOTA TRIBES BLACK HILLS here in Rapid City and yeh it sorry they think they have to jack there prices in there motels cause INDIANS are in town although i dont think they do this when they have a big concert of someone at the civic center and when the stock show comes around. They forget WHO THIS LAND AND HILLS THIS PLACE BELONGS TOO. And as far as Herseth and whoevers campaigning well im not a political observer or a thinker in sort all i know is they should not do this at these powwows they should be going house to house on the RESERVATIONS not at the powwows the people come to enjoy themselves and not to listen to anything to do with politics and politicians.Im sure if they wanted to talk politics they'll go the capitol hill or watch the TV. "
lakota wrote on Oct 7, 2007 8:03 AM:
" the culture alive and real, remember the old ones are watching. "
curious and noisy wrote on Oct 7, 2007 6:21 AM:
" What family adopted Stephanie? Please tell...so we could all know if the adoption was really a heart to heart thing or for personal gain and show. Was it Fern Mousseaux and family???????????? "
OBSERVOR wrote on Oct 7, 2007 4:10 AM:
" It's a great pow-wow, unfortunately the motels raised their prices fast, one motel had $39.95 one night and the next nite it was $59.99. Anyone notice? The only bad thing was Representative Herseth-Sandlin campaigning at the Pow-wow and announcing her "adoption" by some people of questionable character. If this was going to happen, they should have invited Senator Johnson and Thune to speak at this event, not just one. "
AJ Hartje wrote on Oct 7, 2007 12:06 AM:
" Congratulations on what appears to be a successful event. Unfortunately, I'm out of town. Just out of curiosity, though, the headline states that the Civic Center was filled by crowds. That impressed me, but upon further reading, I saw that there is nothing in the story to indicate that this was the case. If I missed it, please let me know. Take care. "
Almost Asleep wrote on Oct 6, 2007 8:22 PM:
" How exciting. "
Forty Nine daze wrote on Oct 6, 2007 6:58 PM:
" The heartbeat of Rapid City is finnaly in balance, epi center, RC Civic Center aye! "
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