Prior Lake, Minnesota - - The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community will hold their annual Wacipi (Pow Wow) Friday through Sunday, August 17, 18, and 19, 2007. The public is invited to experience the beauty and dignity of Native American culture at this event. In 2006 for the first time the Annual Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community Wacipi was held the fourth weekend in August. It is reverting to the third weekend in August as in previous years.

The word Wacipi [wah-chee-pee] in the Dakota Language translates as "they dance." A more common meaning is "Pow Wow." A social gathering where friends and relatives come together to celebrate their way of life and culture and where dancers in their regalia will dance and singers at the drum will sing as their ancestors did before them.

On Thursday, August 16, 2007, the SMSC plans to hold a dance exhibition as a preview to the Pow Wow in Sam Goody Central at the Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota. Information about SMSC enterprises will be available throughout the day. The times for the dance exhibition will be at 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m.

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