Black Hills events embrace Two-Spirit community

A three-day celebration by Uniting Resilience in Rapid City, S.D., celebrated Two-Spirit identity during the last weekend of Pride

A powwow with no gendered categories is an uncommon sight for most people traveling the powwow trail this summer. But the second annual He Sapa Nagi Nunpa Wacipi, or Black Hills Two-Spirit Powwow, in Rapid City made it work.

Participants could dance in whatever category they chose, regardless of their gender. There was no women’s jingle or men’s grass dance, it was just jingle or grass dance. 

“It’s a constant flow of love and freedom and a safe space,” said Uniting Resilience co-founder Monique “Muffie” Mosseau, Oglala Lakota. “That’s the biggest thing we want to offer and let our generations behind us know. We’re going to do these things and provide a safe space and let them come be free.”

Over the last weekend of June, Uniting Resilience, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources and safe spaces for Two-Spirit individuals, planned community events to celebrate Pride in Rapid City.

“We’re a circle,” Mosseau said. “We’d just like everybody to understand and respect each other, just love and peace are one of the most important things, one of the biggest things.”

Participants didn’t need to have their own regalia, they could come and dance as they were. Kids danced in sneakers and gym shorts, some in ribbon skirts and some decked out in full regalia.

The powwow also brought in a variety of Two-Spirit dancers showcasing their unique styles.

Head dancer Monte Muggins, who is Two-Spirit, danced jingle and fancy shawl – both of which are traditionally considered to be women’s categories. The newly appointed Two-Spirit royalty, Fentie Lebeau, danced traditionally.

“The things this organization stands for means a lot,” Lebeau, who is Cheyenne River Lakota and Two-Spirit, said after being crowned. “There’s not a lot of representation back home on my reservation. I want to be able to let the younger generation know that there is a place for you to feel safe.”

The powwow was just one part of a weekend-long Two-Spirit celebration and one of many celebrations in Rapid City.

This year’s powwow ran in conjunction with Native POP and Pride in the Park.

Friday, the organization held a He Sapa Nagi Nunpa Benefit Concert featuring Two-Spirit artists such as Roger Kunh, a Mvskoke Two-Spirit singer. On Sunday, Uniting Resilience held its second annual drag bingo.

Holding Two-Spirit events or Pride events, especially drag events, historically comes with varying levels of pushback.

On June 3, 2024, 23-year-old Tyler Wright was arrested for disorderly conduct and obstruction of law enforcement after disrupting Rapid City’s first-ever Pride parade. Another man pulled a knife during the event but has yet to be identified by police.

When fundraising, Mosseau said there were a lot of “slammed doors” and barriers to the event.

“There were some companies that didn’t want a thing to do with LGBTQ or Two-Spirits,” Mosseau said. “And we understand that, we just said, ‘Okay, we’ll see you again next year.’”

On Sunday, Uniting Resilience held a drag bingo event featuring Indigenous Drag Queens and Indigenous prizes. Last year, the group’s drag bingo experienced heavy pushback, Mosseau said.

Because of the Monument’s proximity to Central High School, Mosseau said the event was threatened with legal action for being a drag event.

This year, aside from difficulty fundraising, Mosseau said there were few barriers.

“Drag as a larger picture has been demonized,” said Cynthia Grace, a transwoman and drag queen. “I can tell you right now that all of the performers I know personally who do drag storytime or entertain for kids are professionals.”

Grace, who performs as Virgo Vixen, helped Uniting Resilience lead and organize drag bingo on Sunday. Grace said all the events over the weekend were aimed at honoring and embracing Pride and what it means to be human.

“We are honoring a cultural tradition that has probably not been honored for probably over 100 years,” Grace said. “I think that’s what the Two-Spirit powwow is about.”

This story is co-published by the Rapid City Journal and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the South Dakota area.