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Powwow filled with Beautiful Native American Regalia
Over 100 students danced in beautiful Native American regalia on Saturday, Sept. 21, 20,19 at the 43rd Annual St. Joseph’s Indian School powwow in Chamberlain, S.D.
Every year, St. Joseph’s Indian School is honored to host a traditional children’s Lakota powwow that welcomes all students, families, extended families, donors and visitors as they celebrate the connections to tradition and spirituality, to the Earth and to one another in a social, personal, and spiritual setting on the school’s campus. The students take a lot of pride and joy in being able to express themselves through traditional Lakota song and dance. A royalty competition takes place every year for both boys and girls where each candidate submits an application as well as a dance demonstration to display their talents and knowledge about their culture. “When I dance in regalia, I feel proud and happy and I hope other people feel the same way,” expressed one student who is competing for Jr. Miss St. Joseph’s.
On Friday, Sept. 20, cultural activities start in the morning with performances at St. Joseph’s Recreation Center and Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center unfolding in the afternoon. Visitors can tour the school and campus. On Saturday morning, the event begins with blessing of the powwow grounds. Grand entry and powwow start at 12 noon sharp and mass is at 5:00 p.m. with a complimentary meal to follow.
The powwow is free and open to the public with handicap accessibility. For more information and a complete schedule of events, please contact St. Joseph’s Indian School at 605-234-3313 or visit stjo.org/powwow. In case of rain, the powwow moves to the Armory in Chamberlain.