/mdva/assets/2026-11-14-15-lower-souix-powwow_tcm1066-773073.pngThe Lower Sioux Indian Community invites everyone to the 11th Annual Cansayapi Veterans Wacipi, a weekend of drumming, dancing and community honoring all who have served. It takes place November 14 and 15, 2026, at Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel’s Dacotah Exposition Center in Morton, MN, and admission is free and open to the public.

Saturday

• 8 a.m.: Vendor set-up
• 10 a.m.: Vendors open
• 10 a.m. to 10 PM: Dancer registration
• 1 p.m.: Grand Entry
• 5 p.m.: Dinner
• 7 p.m.: Grand Entry

Sunday

• 9 a.m.: Breakfast
• 10 a.m.: Vendors open
• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Dancer registration
• 1 p.m.: Grand Entry

Al Childs (Prairie Island, MN) and Redwing Thomas (Santee, NE) will serve as Masters of Ceremony, Hoksita Mountain (Upper Sioux, MN) as Arena Director, Mato Pejuta (Santee, NE) as Host Drum, and Yellow Medicine (Upper Sioux, MN) as Co-Host Drum. The first five drums receive an honorarium.

Contests and specials include:

• One Man Hand Drum (bring your own drum)
• Men’s and Women’s Traditional Special
• Men’s Grass and Women’s Jingle
• Potato Dance (first round for ages 16 and up, second round for ages 5 to 15)
• Kahomni Special
• Men’s Traditional Special in Honor of Butch Felix

Vendors with questions can contact Mariah Wabasha at 507-430-8264, and hotel inquiries can be directed to the Jackpot Junction front desk at 1-800-WIN-CASH. Thank you, Veterans, for your service.