29 August 2023
The Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community is hosting a powwow Friday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 10 at St. Peter’s Church in Mendota.
What started as an event with two drums, Indian tacos and fried bread to help rediscover Native heritage has grown to an attraction that brings in several thousand.
Sharon Lennartson, chairwoman for the Mendota Mdewakanton Dakota Tribal Community, has been running the event for 18 years.
“We figure that’s the first powwow in 100 years. We don’t know that for a fact but we couldn’t do any of our ceremonies. We’d go to jail or get a $10,000 fine in our own indigenous land,” Lennartson said.
From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday there will be an “educational hour” with two professors who are honorary members of the tribe — Chris Mato Nunpa, of Southwest Minnesota State University, and Mike Klein, of the University of St. Thomas.
Klein and some of his students interviewed elders of the MMDTC and will be sharing information at the event. Mato Nunpa will speak about the history of land deals involving the Dakota and the history of Native American genocide.
“We only learn about white heros and white history (in schools),” Mato Nunpa said.
Events start at 5:05 p.m. on Friday with the lighting sacred fire. There will be three rounds of dancing starting at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. The Kalpulli Huitzilin Aztec Dancers will perform at 5:30 p.m. Saturday and there will be a feast at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
For those who do not have enough time to attend the whole weekend of events Lennartson said she recommends coming Saturday after the first grand entry to see the different dancers.
“All I ever hear is ‘We love this powwow. It’s welcoming. It’s peaceful right by the river,’” Lennartson said.
New this year is a Native American Village that can be toured which includes a traditional canoe, tipi and sweat lodge. There will be a Buffalo stew cooking demonstration.
There is a $10 entry button recommended donation that grants access to the weekend’s events.
The MMDTC are asking for financial support through donation prior to the event at their website at mendotadakota.com/mn/pidamaya/
Lennartson has collected her family history into a book called “Stolen Culture, Traditions and Heritage” which is available on Kindle Unlimited and at the powwow.
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