Prior Lake, Minn. – Young Native Pride, a group of Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC) youth, invites the public to their free dance exhibitions on Thursday, May 10, at 1 and 7 p.m. at the Prior Lake High School auditorium. Performing at the local high school has been a tradition for the group for more than two decades, and the performances will celebrate Dakota heritage, language and culture.

Each exhibition opens with a prayer, followed by a grand entry in which the dancers take part in a procession behind flags and eagle feather staffs. The dance performances will highlight a range of dance styles, including men’s traditional, grass and fancy, and women’s traditional, jingle, and fancy shawl.

A group of children ages six and under, called Tiny Tots, will participate in the performance while wearing regalia. There will also be a hoop dance performance by a group of boys and girls. Two local drum groups, Tinta Ottonwe and Iron Boy, made up of adults and youth from several tribes, will sing traditional songs. Toward the end of the event, audience members will be invited to join in a round dance.

SMSC royalty and members of the SMSC Youth Leadership Council will facilitate and participate in the event. Light refreshments will be served in the high school cafeteria following the 7 p.m. performance.

Prior Lake High School is located at 7575 150th Street West in Savage.

About the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community is a federally recognized, sovereign Native American tribe 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 Native American tribes 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.