Sioux Valley putting Dakota knowledge on display

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This article was published 21/06/2022 (1228 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A series of events celebrating Dakota culture, language and teachings will take place today in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

Tuesday marks the start of a week of celebrations aimed at strengthening Indigenous cultures and teachings, said Cheyenne Ironman, of Sioux Wipazoka Wakpa Climate Change and Environment.

Planning for National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) has sparked conversations about why the holiday remains essential in Sioux Valley.

A local knowledge keeper, Eugene Ross, reminded organizers that in the not-so-distant past, the Dakota people could not legally gather together for ceremonies and celebrations.

“It’s important to recognize that and not take for granted all these opportunities that we have to gather and celebrate who we are,” Ironman said. “It’s a happy gathering. Everybody is having a good time and it’s all fun activities.”

There have been limited opportunities to gather over the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding a new appreciation for the moments and memories they can build together on NIDP, Ironman said.

The festivities kick off with a series of events hosted by Sioux Valley Jordan’s Principle at the nation’s powwow grounds. A three-kilometre race will take place in two categories for ages 12 to 14 and 15 to 17 at 10 a.m. followed by a one-kilometre race for youth aged 9 to 11 and 12 to 14 at 11 a.m. Registration for the races begins at 9 a.m.

At noon, a bouncy castle will be set up and beach volleyball and basketball teams will hit the courts. Face painting will also be available. At 1 p.m., a barbecue will take place along with wagon rides followed by horseshoe at 3 p.m. and archery at 5 p.m.

The Wipazoka Wakpa Climate Change and Environment is hosting a gathering at the Sioux Valley elementary school at 5 p.m. A teepee setup will take place at 3 p.m. before the event, and the day will end with fireworks.

The elders language gathering will serve as a space for knowledge to be shared and used to create an environmental Dakota language dictionary, Ironman said.

“There will be a lot of traditional stories and stuff like that being shared,” Ironman said. “It’s going to be really interesting.”

Wipazoka Wakpa has completed similar initiatives in the past with birds and plants in the region.

An important aspect of these discussions is ensuring youth from the community are present and able to participate by hearing the stories elders have to share.

It is important to have these connections as it reflects traditional family structures that were present before the disruption and trauma of colonization, Ironman said. Elders have a strong role in the raising of community children and bridging that gap serves as a way of reclaiming and strengthening traditional family structures and learning systems.

“The language is still here, we’re just strengthening it,” Ironman said.

The presentation will begin with a highlight of the work completed by Wipazoka Wakpa Climate Change in the past year.

A quarterly newsletter will also be officially launched at this time to commemorate their achievement and celebrate Wipazoka Wakpa Climate Change becoming a department of governance in Sioux Valley.

“It’s the first time in Sioux Valley that anyone has gone from writing proposals to turning into a department.”

On Wednesday, the organization will be celebrating the wrap-up of the Learning the Language and the Land project with the elementary school through a series of fun and educational activities.

There will be storytelling, flora and fauna displays and bannock making as well.

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