Wacipi—or powwow—is a traditional Native American gathering. It is a time for renewing friendships and making new ones, dancing, singing, and celebrating. Join us for the annual SMSC Wacipi August 15-17, 2025.
After a hot, yet exciting weekend full of dancing, drumming, and singing, we are glad to announce the winners of each category for this year’s Wacipi!
If you are unable to attend in-person, view the event on one of our livestreams.
The SMSC Wacipi and Mdewakanton Public Safety are offering free child safety wristbands to visitors to safely reunite lost children with their loved ones.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Dakota tribal government located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Following a Dakota tradition of generosity, the SMSC is one of the top philanthropists in Minnesota and is the largest contributor to other tribal governments and causes across the country. It is a strong community partner and a leader in protecting and restoring natural resources. The SMSC’s government, Gaming Enterprise and various other enterprises are collectively the largest employer in Scott County and attract millions of visitors to the region.
Women`s Traditional Dance showcases grace, modesty, and dignity 💫🪶. Dancers typically wear a breastplate and carry a shawl along with a fan made with eagle feathers. Northern dancers often stay in place, their fringe swaying to the beat, while Southern dancers move gracefully around the circle, their fringe swaying back and forth.
#TBT to an unforgettable grand entry at the 2016 SMSC Wacipi! 🤩 🌟
Ookiye Owas Iyekiyewicak̇iyapi
“Recognizing All the Staff Helping with the Wacipi”
Fort Peck Sioux - Invited Drum
"Fort Peck Sioux formed off the Fort Kipp Juniors with the late George Red Eagle in 1986. The group started out with five singers—the late Delray "Chubs" Smith, the late Frank Buckles, the late Harry Three Stars Jr., the late George Red Eagle, and Gerred Red Eagle. Fast forward to 2021, the reigns were handed down to nephew Chance Roberts—the son of Bear/Kae Roberts—who has done a tremendous job. The group has traveled throughout the years in the United States and Canada, representing as invited and host drum. We would like to thank all the support from our family and friends. We would also like to thank the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and the SMSC Wacipi Committee for inviting us to the 2025 SMSC Wacipi."
Just 7 more Tuesdays until the tiny tots return to the SMSC Wacipi! #TinyTotTuesday 💙
Ookiye Owas Iyekiyewicak̇iyapi
“Recognizing All the Staff Helping with the Wacipi”
Hokah Sound - Sound
"Hello, my name is Dale Roberts, I am Choctaw/Chickasaw, and I make my home in Atwood, Oklahoma. I am the owner and operator of Hokah Sound, having been in the sound business for over 20 years. We travel extensively throughout the United States and also into Canada. Hokah Sound is a family based live sound business, mainly run by myself and my wife. We thrive to be the best at what we do, to provide the best sound for the people. We have worked for most of the major powwows throughout powwow country and have worked alongside respectable individuals over the years. We are very thankful we are able to keep doing what we most enjoy doing, and that is to provide the best quality sound. Thank you to the SMSC Wacipi Committee for inviting Hokah Sound to once again provide the central sound for the powwow.
Yakoki
Thanks"
Ookiye Owas Iyekiyewicak̇iyapi
“Recognizing All the Staff Helping with the Wacipi”
Dennison Brown - Head Singing Judge
"Da go tee - my name is Dennison Brown. I am Discheen Clan from San Carlos Apache tribe of Arizona. I would like to start by saying Ashoog to the SMSC for giving me the honor of being your Head Singing Judge for the SMSC Wacipi. My first love of music was at my big sister’s ·Na ff es· (sunrise dance/coming of age ceremony) on my rez. Being so close to everything at the age of 6 is when music started to be a part of my life, but I never imagined how big it would come to be. In the 80s and early 90s, my family, including Uncle Larry Brown, traveled all throughout powwow country as I danced Fancy Feather. I’ve always enjoyed the songs I heard both Northern and Southern drums and the only way to learn them was to sing them. That`s where my love for singing started. In Southern California, I grew up hearing some of the best drum groups in the land and experience the Center Drum way of dances. Seeing the way those men conducted themselves was something I looked up to. Competition singing came into my life with being blessed to sing and become a member of The Wild Band of Comanches drum group in 2008 to present day. We have been blessed to accomplish many victories that we never thought possible, several three peats at big singing contests, being the only southern drum group to make the 2019 INFP pw, songs used for television shows and movies for I will always be proud of my family for doing! Throughout the years I have been able to also sing and compete with several northern drum groups as well as southern groups. I am very thankful to the powwow committee for thinking of me, and I will do my very best to provide a top-notch singing contest with some of the best drum groups in today`s powwow world. Good luck, sing hard, and always know we are not perfect especially at the drum, we sit there for the help and lessons for ourselves to bring out the best music to make others feel good!"
Throwing it back to 2004 and the amazing drum groups at the SMSC Wacipi.🥁✨#TBT
Ookiye Owas Iyekiyewicak̇iyapi
“Recognizing All the Staff Helping with the Wacipi”
Candace Gadwa - Head Women’s Judge
Candace Gadwa proudly represents her homeland of Kehewin Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada. She is a proud mom of five, the fearless eldest of nine siblings, and a product of resilience, humor, and whole lot of lived experience. Gadwa is an educator and cultural ambassador. She earned her bachelor’s degree and began teaching during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic but had already been rocking the education profession for over two decades. Passionate about making schools places where Indigenous kids can show up fully and unapologetically as themselves, Gadwa believes that learning should feel safe, brave, and full of heart. When she’s not busy with work or rearranging her schedule around the kids, you’ll find her sewing, beading, or travelling to the next powwow. She is always up for a good laugh and storytelling with a good cup of coffee.
