The following story was written and reported by Brandon Ecoffey, Native Sun News Managing Editor. All content © Native Sun News.
The fair also features a parade on Saturday morning. COURTESY/Oglala Nation Pow Wow Committee
Oglala Nation Fair kicks off
Fair attracts thousands to Pine Ridge
By Brandon Ecoffey
Native Sun News Managing Editor
PINE RIDGE — Each year tens of thousands flock to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to take part in the Oglala Nation Fair. The 28th annual Oglala Nation Fair that includes a pow wow, rodeo, softball tournaments, parade, skate board completion, horseshoe tournament, carnival and multiple 3 on 3 basketball tournaments is set to take place this week.
“It is an opportunity for people around the country to see what the Oglala Nation has to offer and also a chance for us to showcase the enormous troves of talent we have in our communities,” said Bryan Brewer, President of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
The pow wow alone attracts many of the top dancers, artists, and singers from around the world to Pine Ridge for the event that will run from August 1-4. For many pow wow goers the main attraction at any pow-wow is the level of talent of the singers present at any given pow wow. As a recruiting incentive the Oglala Nation pow-wow committee has put up a 25,000 dollar drum split meant to bring in the top drum groups from around the country.
In addition to being able to view and hear those participating in the dancing and singing competitions at the pow wow those in attendance will have the opportunity to purchase items produced by Native American artists and food vendors that one can only find at a pow wow.
The event also marks one of the most profitable times of year for the reservation economy that relies almost exclusively on dollars generated by the tourism industry. Many businesses on the reservation experience a significant bump in sales due to the large amounts of people who come to the reservation to experience what the fair has to offer.
“We try to accommodate the masses during the fair by adjusting our hours and having more staff working,” said Bob Ecoffey who owns a Subway on Main Street in Pine Ridge. “It is a busy week and it does a lot for my business and others across the reservation. It is a great event and I would encourage people to come see what is happening especially at the pow wow and rodeo,” he added.
Although not as widely marketed as the pow wow the rodeo that is located only a few hundred yards from the pow wow arena draws hundreds of fans who have grown accustomed to seeing some of the top cowboys and cowgirls compete against top of line livestock. Throughout the years some of the top Native rodeo athletes in history have competed at the event including; C.L. Johnson, Jim Jacobs, Howard Hunter, and Smiley Sierra.
The fair also provides an opportunity for the town of Pine Ridge to showcase the Wounded Knee 4 Direction Toby Eagle Bull memorial skate park. The skate park is world class in design and allows for Native skaters to showcase their ability while competing for prizes. At the Toby Eagle Bull Memorial Skate Competition that is set to take place at noon on August 2.
“The comp has developed in to one of the premier events that take place during the fair,” said Larry Eagle Bull Jr. one of the event’s organizers.
There will also be a little league baseball tournament and men’s and women’s softball tournaments that draw teams from all over the Northern Plains.
(Contact Brandon Ecoffey at staffwriter2@nsweekly.com)
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