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.
Book your room now and enjoy the excitement and amenities of Mystic Lake Casino Hotel during the SMSC Wacipi.
The SMSC Wacipi and Mdewakanton Public Safety are offering free child safety wristbands to visitors to safely reunite lost children with their loved ones.
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community will honor that tradition at this year’s SMSC Wacipi by providing free backpacks with school supplies in support of Native youth, our neighbors, and Indian Country.
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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.
Ookiye Owas Iyekiyewicak̇iyapi
“Recognizing All the Staff Helping with the Wacipi”
Black Lodge - Invited Drum
"From White Swan, Washington, the Black Lodge singers were founded by Kenny Scabbyrobe in 1980. Alongside him his wife, Louise, and sons, Kenny began what would be known to be one of the premiere drum groups through 45 years of singing at powwows. Black Lodge singers are eight-time Grammy nominees and a one-time Grammy winner. In 2001, Black Lodge singers claimed the Triple Crown honors at Schemitzun World Championships of Song and Dance. Black Lodge singers continue to bring their music and sound to powwows throughout the United States and Canada. Black Lodge has started the second generation with the grandsons of Kenny and Louise Scabbyrobe. Black Lodge singers would like to thank the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and the SMSC Wacipi Committee for the invitation to this year’s event."
Only two Tuesdays left until the Tiny Tots join us in the circle once again at the SMSC Wacipi! 🥳 🤍 #TinyTotTuesday
Ookiye Owas Iyekiyewicak̇iyapi
“Recognizing All the Staff Helping with the Wacipi”
Leading Arrow - Invited Drum
"Nawa! We are Leading Arrow, a southern-style drum group from Pawnee, Oklahoma. We officially came together under this name at Durant Powwow in 2023. However, we—as brothers—have been singing together since 1999. We enjoy singing in the southern style and following in the footsteps of our mentors: our fathers, uncles, and grandfathers. The knowledge passed down to us—and the responsibility that comes with it—is something we are all deeply appreciative of. Our drum has taken us across the United States and Canada, and we are proud to represent the Pawnee, Cheyenne, Sac and Fox, Omaha, and Dinė nations.
To our family and friends: thank you for your constant love and support. To the SMSC Wacipi Committee thank you for thinking of us as one of this year’s invited drums and for welcoming us to your home. We are excited to come and share our songs and our southern style of singing."
Ookiye Owas Iyekiyewicak̇iyapi
“Recognizing All the Staff Helping with the Wacipi”
Juaquin Hamilton - Master of Ceremonies
"Juaquin Hamilton is an enrolled member of the Sac and Fox Nation. He also represents the Cheyenne, Pawnee, Otoe-Missouria, Kiowa, Apache, and Tonkawa tribes. He currently resides in Newtown, North Dakota. With an introduction into the arena at an early age, he has always carried a love for his culture and traditions. Over the years, he has also held many different head staff positions including master of ceremonies at powwows throughout the United States and Canada.
Juaquin gives thanks to the Creator for all the blessings he has received throughout his life and would like to extend his gratitude to the SMSC Wacipi Committee for asking him to serve as master of ceremonies for this year’s powwow. He would also like to wish everyone an enjoyable experience at this year’s celebration.
Ketepi, (Thank you)
Juaquin"
We are just three weeks away from the SMSC Wacipi! Lodging is available at @MysticLakeCasino Hotel at a discounted rate for one more week. Rates will increase on Friday, August 1.
Book your stay with the link in bio.
The Men`s Chicken Dance is one of the oldest dance styles, orginating among the Blackfeet. Dancers wear smaller, old-fashioned bustles, ankle bells, and bell drops as they imitate the vibrant mating dance of the prairie chicken. 🪶
Throwback to an amazing Saturday night Grand Entry at the 2019 SMSC Wacipi! 🔥✨ #TBT
Ookiye Owas Iyekiyewicak̇iyapi
“Recognizing All the Staff Helping with the Wacipi”
Ron Goodeagle, Jr. - Arena Director
Ronnie Dee Goodeagle, Jr. is an enrolled member of the Sac and Fox Nation of Kansas. He is the son of the late Ronnie Dee Goodeagle, Sr. (Comanche, Osage, and Sac and Fox), and the late Lillian “Tweedy” Goodeagle (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota and Northern Cheyenne). Ron Jr. carries his Dakota name “Wanbdi Wastè/Good Eagle” which was given to him by his late great grandmother, Mary Osage Green (Osage), from Gray Horse, Oklahoma. He resides near Green Bay, Wisconsin, on the Oneida Reservation with his wife and seven children.
Growing up on the Powwow Trail with his family, he has traveled throughout the United States and Canada, dancing in the grass dance category as a tiny tot, then to traditional, and when he became a teen, he was brought in as a Southern Straight dancer. He has been honored and privileged to be on committees of contest and traditional powwows as Arena Director, Master of Ceremonies, Head Men`s Judge, and Head Whistle Man.
“Hau Mitakuyapi. My name is Ron Goodeagle, Jr., and I’m Dakota, Comanche, Osage, Sac and Fox, and Northern Cheyenne. First off, I’m grateful to Creator for all of us and this wonderful life we’re blessed with! I’m thankful to the SMSC Wacipi Committee and the SMSC for thinking of me and trusting me to be a part of the 2025 SMSC Wacipi. Shout out to the rest of the SMSC Wacipi Staff, I’m looking forward to working with you all.
Growing up, this was always one of my favorite powwows to be at. The awesome singing and dancing every year, the spirit that lives in the circle when everybody’s there. It’s super awesome. It’s beautiful. It’s good. I love this powwow life very much and happy Creator blessed us with it. This wacipi is one of the powwows I look forward to the most. It’s always a good one. I’m sure this year will be jamming too.
Let’s sing! Let’s dance! Let’s WHEE CHAA!!!
Hoka!"
