Culture Camp unites community

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This article was published 04/04/2022 (1635 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SIOUX VALLEY — The Wipazoka Wakpa Winter Culture Camp offered three exciting days of in-person activities at Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, bringing the community together in a celebration of culture, traditions and fun.

The Winter Culture Camp was designed to weave together climate change, community and overall wellness, said Wakpa McKay, Sioux Valley Wipazoka Wakpa Climate Change and Environment Wipazoka Wakpa research assistant. The main goal was to integrate culture into family-friendly activities while talking about the environment and Dakota culture.

“It was fantastic. The Winter Culture Camp, it couldn’t have gone any smoother,” McKay said.

Organizers were pleased with the turnout and participation from community members, he said. Nation members’ enthusiasm has spurred the Wipazoka Wakpa working group to create more activities based on the needs of the community.

The Winter Culture Camp offered an important opportunity for people to meet the Wipazoka Wakpa team and hopefully consider becoming a member of the initiative, he said. McKay added he hopes to continue engaging with community members during future events.

One of the highlights of the camp was the Dakota Amazing Race. McKay said it proved popular with the five teams of two competing in a series of different obstacles based on traditional Dakota activities.

Teams began the race with sloshing — walking together using a piece of plywood — 3D archery and finishing off by lighting a fire with flint and steel to warm a cup of tea for an elder.

“We’re going to make the next one even more fantastic,” McKay said. “It was great watching. It was great seeing everyone laughing and smiling.”

Being able to gather as a community during the Culture Camp was a welcomed return to normal, said elder Margaret Roscelli.

“We’ve been apart for so long,” Roscelli said. “We’re a close-knit community. We share in our joys, in our sorrows as a community.”

Social gatherings, powwows and ceremonies have been greatly missed during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, she said.

“Coming together like this is really enjoyable and healthy for us because we’re establishing contact with our friends and our relatives and having an enjoyable time because we’ve come through the pandemic,” Roscelli said.

It has been a challenging time in the community because the experience of trauma and stress has only been heightened by the isolation created by COVID-19.

The Winter Culture Camp marked a time for celebration and healing, she said, with the community coming together to create good and positive energy.

Roscelli enjoyed watching the young people of the community laughing and enjoying themselves exploring the different activities set up by the climate council. She was on hand for the Culture Camp to share stories and traditions with those in attendance.

The goal was to talk to youth passing on Dakota stories, legends and teachings.

This can be a tricky task, she added, because traditionally stories have been passed down in the Dakota language.

“Because of the language barrier, the young people don’t know Dakota. If I tell those stories that have been passed on for generations, it’s usually told in Dakota,” Roscelli said. “We have a very descriptive language, and once you translate it into English, it doesn’t do it justice. It loses its humour completely.”

She adapted to the adversity and shared her experiences of growing up in Sioux Valley, passing on the knowledge she has gained over 70 years. Roscelli spoke about what it was like growing up without electricity, phones and travelling by horse team.

Adele Sinclair and Jonathan Courchene were riding high on Saturday, taking home first place in the Dakota Amazing Race contest and first place in the men’s and women’s hatchet-throwing contest.

Being at the Culture Camp felt like a reunion, Sinclair said, because they were able to reconnect with people they have not seen in two years due to COVID-19 lockdowns.

The duo was especially excited for Saturday’s activities — Sinclair carefully crafted “Amazing Race Sioux Valley” T-shirts in preparation for the big day.

Saturday marked their first day attending the culture camp, Courchene said, and it brought back fond memories of the Sioux Valley Winter Carnival they attended in the past.

They especially enjoyed the Dakota Amazing Race, he said, but it proved to be a challenging task to take on. He added that starting and keeping the fire going to boil water was especially difficult.

Courchene said they got the fire going five times before the blaze finally stayed lit. Courchene even cut his hand in the frantic rush to take home first place during the race.

Sinclair said they loved the Dakota Amazing Race competition, adding they planned their weekend around ensuring they would be able to participate.

“It’s always fun to do activities like this with the whole community,” Courchene said.

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