BHSU will host the 27th Annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi in conjunction with American Indian Awareness Week

Black Hills State University will host the 27th Annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi (powwow) April 16-18 at the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center Field House in conjunction with American Indian Awareness Week that will take place on campus April 12-18.

This year’s theme is “Leading with Action: Walking the Talk.” The celebration kicks off with a social Monday, April 12 from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Center for American Indian Studies, located in Jonas Hall, room 103. Speakers during the week include: Gerard Baker, superintendent of Mount Rushmore; Jay Taken Alive, councilman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe; and many others. A complete schedule of events for the week is as follows:

Tuesday, April 13th

• 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
  Camp Circle: Coming Home the Dakota Way
  Jonas Hall, room 107
  Belinda F. Joe, M.S. Ed. - Dakota Hunkpati, educator, Montana State University graduate student, Traditional Dancer and Kunsin
   
• 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
  Cultural Conflicts & Challenges with Leadership
  Jonas Hall, room 107
  Rosalie Little Thunder - Lakota educator and activist
   
• 3:15 – 4:30 p.m.
  Democracy: True Freedom?
  Meier Hall, room 128
  Gerard Baker - superintendent, Mount Rushmore
  National Memorial

Wednesday, April 14th

• 9-9:50 a.m.
  Native Legacy Magazine
  Jonas Hall, room 209
  Lila DeMarrias-Mehlhaff - publisher and CEO
   
• 12-12:50 p.m.
  Native Legacy Magazine
  Meier Hall, room 202
  Abena Song Bird - writer, poet, and singer
   
• 1-1:50 p.m.
  Native Americans: The Original Environmentalists
  Jonas Hall, room 309
  Bryant High Horse - counselor, educator, and lecturer at Oglala Lakota College and at North Middle School in Rapid City
   
• 3-5 p.m.
  Early French & Lakota Families in South Dakota
  Jonas Hall, room 202
  Donovin Sprague - educator, author, musician, historian

    
Thursday, April 15th

• 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
  Wacipi – A Way of Life
  Jonas Hall, room 107
  Whitney Rencountre - BHSU alumnus and powwow arena director

• 12:30 – 1:45 p.m.
  Issues Surrounding Devils Tower
  Jonas Hall, room 107
  Dorothy FireCloud – superintendent, Devils Tower National Monument
   
• 2-3:15 p.m.
  Search for the Lost Trail of Crazy Horse
  Jonas Hall, room 305
  Cleve Walstrom - author

Friday, April 16th

• 9-9:50 a.m.
  Soaring Into the Future
  Jonas Hall, room 107
  Sandy Swallow-Morgan - Lakota/Northern Cheyenne artist
   
• 12- 12:50 p.m.
  Lakota Leadership & Responsibilities
  Jonas Hall, room 107Jay Taken Alive - Standing Rock Sioux Tribe councilman
   
• 1-1:50 p.m.
  Lakota Leadership & Responsibilities
  Jonas Hall, room 308
  Jay Taken Alive - Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Councilman
   
• 7-11 p.m.
  Annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi
  BHSU Young Center Field House
  Grand entry, warm up, and social dancing

Saturday, April 17h

• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  Native American Alumni Meet & Greet
  Young Center Hall of Fame Room
  Sponsored by BHSU Alumni Office
   
• 10 a.m.
  25th Annual Kevin Whirlwind Horse Run
  Salem Park in Spearfish
  Registration will take place at Salem Park
   
• 12-5 p.m.
  Annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi
  Young Center Field House
   
• 5-6:30 p.m.
  Free Buffalo Feed
  David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union
   
• 7-11 p.m.
  Annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi
  Young Center Field House

Sunday, April 18th

• 12-5 p.m.
  Annual Lakota Omniciye Wacipi
  Young Center Field House

For more information contact the Center for American Indian Studies at 605-642-6578. Persons with disabilities requesting accommodations for these events should contact Urla Marcus at 605-642-6578 at least 48 hours prior to start of event.