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Home > Our History > Plains Indians > Powwows and Celebrations

Powwows and Celebrations

South Dakota powwow dancer

Festive best describes the atmosphere of a powwow or "wacipi" (dance). Spirited drumming and singing fills the air, as dancers complete their fancy footwork. Many of today's powwows feature competitions in categories such as traditional, fancy and jingle dress dancing. During the intertribal dance, spectators get their chance to enter the dance ring. At most powwows, you'll also have the opportunity to sample traditional foods like Indian fry bread and "wojapi," a fruit pudding. Catch the spirit at one of these or many other powwows across the state.



Powwow Schedule

Many powwows are held at the same time each year. However, it's best to call ahead to verify dates and times. When attending a powwow, please remember to be respectful. For more information see our Visitor Etiquette section.


February  |  March  |  April  |  May  |  June  |  July  |  August  |  September  |  October  |  November

FEBRUARY

South Dakota State University Annual Pow wow
Brookings, Frost Arena
Late February or early March
South Dakota State University
(605) 688-6129 or (605) 688-6653


MARCH

University of South Dakota Wacipi
Vermillion
Late March or early April
University of South Dakota
(605) 677-6875 or tiospaye@usd.edu


APRIL

Cheyenne - Eagle Butte School Traditional Pow wow
Eagle Butte, school grounds
Mid-April
(605) 964-8744 or dhighelk@yahoo.com
Black Hills State University Wacipi
Spearfish
Third weekend in April
Black Hills State University
(605) 642-6578


MAY

Presentation College Graduation Pow wow
Eagle Butte, college campus
Early May
(605) 964-4071 or dhighelk@yahoo.com
Kenel Memorial Day Wacipi
Kenel
Late May
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Tourism
(605) 823-2024 or (701) 854-7201
 
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JUNE

White Horse Community Contest Pow wow
White Horse Community, near Cheyenne River
Early June
(605) 964-7812 or dhighelk@yahoo.com

Annual Oglala Lakota Vietnam Veterans Contest Pow wow
Pine Ridge, Pow wow grounds
Mid-June
Pine Ridge Area Chamber of Commerce
(605) 867-5762, (605) 867-5577 or pteole@gwtc.net

Thunder Butte Traditional Pow wow
Dupree, Pow wow grounds
Mid-June
(605) 964-7812, (605) 365-5715 or dhighelk@yahoo.com

Fort Randall Casino and Hotel Pow wow
Pickstown, Fort Randall Casino
Mid- to late June
Fort Randall Casino and Hotel
1-800-362-6333

Oglala Lakota College Graduation Wacipi
Kyle, Oglala Lakota College
Mid- to late June
Oglala Lakota College
(605) 455-6000 or mpurier@olc.edu


 
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JULY

Antelope Traditional Wacipi
Antelope
July
(605) 208-4072
Iron Lightning Contest Pow wow
Iron Lightning, Pow wow grounds
July 4
(605) 964-7812 or dhighelk@yahoo.com
Rosebud Casino Annual Pow wow
Rosebud, Rosebud Casino
July 4-6
Rosebud Casino
1-800-786-7673
Bear Soldier Pow wow
Bear Soldier Community, near McLaughlin
July 4-6
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Tourism
(605) 823-4519
Annual Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Traditional Wacipi
Agency Village, near Sisseton
Fourth of July holiday
(605) 698-4972
Dupree Community Contest Pow wow
Dupree, Pow wow grounds
July 12-13, 2008
(605) 964-7812 or dhighelk@yahoo.com
Annual Flandreau Santee Traditional Wacipi
Flandreau
July 18-20, 2008
Flandreau Santee Wacipi
(605) 997-3891, (605) 997-2870 or webeditor@fsst.org
Wounded Knee Memorial Ride and Powwow
Start in Fort Yates, ND, end in Wounded Knee, SD
July 25-26, 2008
(605) 867-5416 or (262) 903-0869
Running Antelope Wacipi
Little Eagle
July 25-27, 2008
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Tourism
(605) 823-4132
Milk's Camp Traditional Pow wow
St. Charles
Fourth weekend in July
(605) 654-9042
 
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AUGUST

Annual Fort Randall Traditional Powwow
Lake Andes
First full weekend in August (August 1-3, 2008)
(605) 384-3641 or (605) 487-7871 ext. 473
Oglala Nation Powwow and Rodeo
Pine Ridge
First full weekend in August
(605) 867-5821
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Annual Fair, Rodeo and Powwow
Lower Brule
Second full weekend in August
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Powwows
(605) 473-5561 or (605) 473-5372
Rock Creek Wacipi
(Annual Victory over Japan Celebration)
Rock Creek Community, near Bullhead
August 8-10, 2008
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Tourism
(605) 823-2026
Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Annual Powwow
Fort Thompson
Third weekend of August
(605) 245-2221
Wakpala Traditional Powwow
Wakpala
August 15-27, 2008
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Tourism
(605) 823-2026
Annual Rosebud Fair, Rodeo and Powwow
Rosebud, Pow wow grounds
Fourth weekend in August
Rosebud Sioux Tribe Wacipi
(605) 747-2381 or (605) 747-2289
 
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SEPTEMBER

Annual Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Fair, Rodeo and Powwow
Eagle Butte
Early September (August 29-September 1, 2008)
(605) 964-4155, (605) 964-7812 or dhighelk@yahoo.com
United Sioux Tribes Powwow
Fort Pierre
September
United Sioux Tribes
(605) 224-8861
Northern Plains Indian Art Market and Powwow
Sioux Falls
Late September (September 25-28, 2008)
Northern Plains Indian Art Market
(605) 334-4060
Annual American Indian Day and Powwow Celebration
"Gathering of the Wakanyeja"
Chamberlain, St. Joseph's Indian School
Mid-September (September 20, 2008)
St. Joseph's Indian School Powwow
(605) 734-3300


OCTOBER

Annual Black Hills Powwow and Art Market
Rapid City, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
Early October (October 10-12, 2008)
Black Hills Powwow (He Sapa Wacipi)
(605) 341-0925
Dakota Anpetu Traditional Powwow
Sioux Falls, Multi-Cultural Center
Early October (October 13, 2008)
(605) 367-7400


NOVEMBER

Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Memorial Powwow
Agency Village
Second weekend in November
(605) 698-4972
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Veterans Powwow
Lower Brule
Second or third weekend in November
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Powwows
(605) 473-5561 or (605) 473-5372 or (605) 473-6585
 
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Search our statewide calendar of events for specific dates and locations of powwows.

Many powwows are held at the same time each year. However, it's best to call ahead to verify dates and times. When attending a powwow, please remember to be respectful. For more information see our Visitor Etiquette section.