Holly Meyer of the Rapid City Journal has the details:

Terry Fiddler of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe dances through the grand entry at the Black Hills Pow Wow in January. (Steve McEnroe/Rapid City Journal)

Organizers said they expect the 24th annual Black Hills Pow Wow to bring about 12,000 people to the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Sponsored by the Black Hills Pow Wow Association, the event is expected to draw a record number of people, according to Ira Taken Alive, secretary of the association.

In accordance with Gov. Mike Rounds’ declaration that 2010 is a Year of Unity, this powwow’s theme is “Celebrating Unity and Reconciliation” and the events’ speakers will emphasize the theme, Taken Alive said.

“We want to convey that it’s not just a Native event. It’s not just for Natives; everyone’s welcome,” Taken Alive said.

A favorable weather forecast, prize money for contests and a major drum group are some of the biggest reasons people will come to Rapid City for the weekend powwow, Taken Alive said.

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Tags: Black Hills Pow Wow, buffalo post, Ira Taken Alive, Mike Rounds, Native American news, Northern Cree, Powwow, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, Year of Unity