Historian

Powwow to Highlight New Crown
By Jomay Steen, Staff Writer
Rapid City Journal - 7 July 2005

RAPID CITY, SD -- It will be the crowning touch for a young woman representing her tribe and culture at this fall's Black Hills Powwow.

Fine needlework and porcupine quills have adorned past crowns, but the 19th annual He Sapa Wacipi Championship Powwow and Fine Art Show's new crown breaks from the traditional form.

Incorporating the powwow's theme "Honoring the Third Circle," Rapid City artists Mitchell Zephier, Roger Herron and Webster Two Hawk Jr. crafted the Miss He Sapa Win crown from brass, silver and semiprecious stones.

The crown will highlight the 2005 He Sapa Wacipi Win Competition as part of the Oct. 7 grand entry of the Black Hills Powwow. The powwow runs Oct. 7-9 at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Dixie Holy Eagle, contest organizer, said the committee has set up a one-day training session for contestants on Oct. 1 to assist with cultural aspects, responsibilities, contest rules, talent, public speaking and interview skills and dance regalia.

The committee has tightened some contest rules. Contestants must now be high school graduates or have a graduate equivalency diploma. The committee has extended its age requirements to include contestants 18 to 25 years old.

Zephier wants the woman who wears the crown to understand its people's history.

For 20 years, Two Hawk has worked with Zephier to create designs.

"My forte is the design," Two Hawk said of the crown.

Patterned after Gerald Yellow Hawk's painting "Honoring the Third Circle," Two Hawk said he tried to capture the essence of the buffalo calf woman into the circle of a medicine wheel.

Eagles dwell within the delicate plumes that Two Hawk has tooled into the silver band on each side of the centerpiece. The eagles represent the highest of feminine virtues of respect, compassion, truthfulness and wisdom. Seven tipis represent the council fires of the Lakota tribes tied to the Black Hills, Zephier said.

"This crown is specific to the Lakota people and tribes," Zephier said.

The Rapid City artist said that once Two Hawk finalizes the design, many more artists will bring their individual talents to stamp upon the crown.

"It's collaboration," he said.

Zephier's brother, Roger Herron, cuts the metal and stamps the design using stamps, chisels and hammers. Bob Sun Bear of Rapid Valley polishes the surfaces, and his wife, Jackie Looks Twice, does the inlay work and engraving.

Zephier solders the brass and silver pieces together and shapes the crown. He said the metal and stone, all part of Mother Earth, are the physical manifestations of Lakota women, who were revered as life givers and care takers.

"This crown represents 32 years of striving to perfect Lakota metal work," Zephier said.

Contestants may get applications at the Black Hills Powwow Association office or download a form at www.blackhillspowwow.com , or call 605-341-0925.

Designers sought for style show.

The Black Hills Powwow Association will accept applications of local Lakota clothing designers as part of the 19th annual He Sapa Wacipi Championship Powwow and Fine Arts Show on Oct. 7-9.

Designers will showcase designs at a style show from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Oct 7 and 8 in LaCroix Hall at the civic center. Seven slots remain open, organizers said.

Designers will need to submit 10 articles of clothing, which may include ribbon shirts, skirts, jackets or other pieces.

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"Be good, be kind, help each other. Respect the ground, respect the drum, respect each other."
--Abe Conklin, Ponca/Osage (1926-1995)