Public Invited to Free Performance by SMSC Youth at Prior Lake High School
Prior Lake, Minn. – Wearing handmade regalia and dancing to traditional songs, more than 70 youth from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) will share their Dakota culture, traditions, and spirituality at a free dance exhibition at the Prior Lake High School auditorium at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 8. The performance, which is open to the general public, will be followed by light refreshments.
SMSC Youth Royalty and members of the SMSC Youth Leadership Council will take on speaking roles in the performance, which will also include taped comments by some of the dancers.
This event, now in its 17th year, will honor Dakota life. Through song, dance, and the spoken word, the students will illustrate Dakota values, which have been important to the Dakota people throughout time and remain significant today.
Each performance will begin with a prayer, followed by a grand entry in which the dancers enter in a procession behind flags and eagle feather staffs. The dance styles which will be featured include fancy feather, fancy shawl, traditional, grass, and jingle. A large group of Tiny Tots – endearing children age six and under – will also participate in regalia. The Hoka Hey intertribal drum group, including adults and youth from several tribes, will sing traditional songs. The event will conclude with audience members being invited to participate in a round dance.
Prior Lake High School is located at 7575 150th Street West in Savage.
About the performers
Young Native Pride, designed to instill pride and respect for American Indian values and culture, involves children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Older youth and adult Community members serve as role models and help guide the younger children in the program.
The students’ families and program staff have been preparing for the event throughout the school year as a large Tiospaye (tee-osh-peye), or extended family. Their work includes creating beautiful Dakota dance regalia consisting of beadwork, appliqué, ribbon work, moccasins, bustles, shawls, and more. Each dancer’s regalia has personal and symbolic meaning.
About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Indian tribe located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With a focus on being a good neighbor, good steward of the earth, and good employer, the SMSC is committed to community partnerships, charitable donations, a healthy environment, and a strong economy. The SMSC and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel and Little Six Casino) are the largest employer in Scott County. Out of a Dakota tradition to help others, the SMSC has also donated more than $290 million to organizations and causes since 1992, funds its own infrastructure, and contributes generously to regional governments and infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer systems, and emergency services.