Mahkato Wacipi

This weekend was the the 36th Annual Mahkato Wacipi, more commonly know as a Pow-wow, held every year just outside Mankato, MN. I wasn't able to make it for the full weekend, like much of my family did, but Inara, Mum, Marlys and I made the trip down there on Saturday. It was a lot of fun! Not only did we get to enjoy the dancing and great music (wacipi means "they dance"), but we got see many of our relatives, some of whom had come from quite some distance away!

Inara did really well, considering how many strangers were around (and how many family members were crowded around her that she barely remembered), and I think she enjoyed it. By the end of the day she was really getting into the drums. She'd make such a good jingle-dress dancer!

Below you'll see my aunt Jeanine (Grandma NeNe to Inara, as aunts and uncles are known as grandparents in Lakota culture) in her traditional dress. To see more of her, the whole family, and many of the participants of the Wacipi, go here.