When Robert Whitehead Jr. of Yellow Quill, Saskatchewan, arrives in Rapid City with his group Rock Hill, it will be his second time attending the Black Hills Pow Wow. This year's theme is "Honoring the Four Generations, Strong Lakota Women, Mending the Sacred Hoop," with Rock Hill serving as the host drum.

"Last year was our first time attending the Black Hills Pow Wow," Whitehead said. "We came down to enjoy ourselves, we sang hard, sang for the people and were awarded with a first-place victory. We are very honored that the committee invited us back to serve as the 2009 Black Hills Pow Wow host drum."

Competition between dancers, drummers and singers is only one aspect of the powwow. A poster contest, softball tournament and the He Sapa Style Show also take place during the event.

"The skateboard tournament should be big this year. We have professional skaters from around the country coming," Dixie Holy Eagle said. Holy Eagle is in her third year as president of the Black Hills Pow Wow Association and her eighth year of involvement with the powwow.

"Last year, we had 57 nations attend," Holy Eagle said. "We'll probably have more this year. A lot are coming from Canada and some from Arizona."

The opportunity to meet with people from other nations and share stories and experiences is vital to the powwow experience. For Whitehead, it is a chance to compare Native life in Canada versus life in the United States, which he sees as not that different.

"In speaking with our friends across the border, we have found that we do have more rights in Canada, as opposed to our American friends," Whitehead said. "Rights such as a paid education and living allowance for students, medical care, we have yet to experience huge feather raids as the U.S. has. Anywhere you go, it is a struggle to be First Nation. Unless you have an education to back your thoughts, it is almost impossible to be heard."

Whitehead's father, who started Rock Hill after being a part of other singing groups and is its lead singer, passed down the value of an education.

"My father, the lead singer, was chief of our reserve for six years and always stressed the importance of having an education and making our mark in the world," Whitehead said. "I think the only difference, despite a few minor rights, is just the border that divides our people."

The sharing of traditions is a vital reason for the existence of the powwow, whether it is in the form of storytelling, craft-making or singing and drumming, as in the case of Rock Hill.

"It was when my younger brother had wanted to start singing that my father decided it was time to start singing with his sons," Whitehead said. "I guess it was kind of hard for him to see his boys wanting to sing, and we weren't really given that chance while he was with other groups. We are very thankful that he chose to sing with us and stick by our sides. Over the years, he had taught us so much and always kept us level-headed."

What might be lacking, however, is more involvement from the community.

"The hardest part is fundraising," Holy Eagle said. "We send out fliers to all the businesses, but we don't get a lot of donations."

According to Holy Eagle, the powwow is run entirely by volunteers.

"We prefer people from the community to come out and help. Maybe people think they can't volunteer or don't think they are invited. It's not a private event," she said.

As for the singing itself, Whitehead appreciates its place in his life.

"To me, singing powwow is something I love to do," he said. "I am very grateful to be able to sing and carry on the tradition. I have been told to sing for the people to make them feel good. And it's something I will always do. It's a way of prayer. Being the host drum to a celebration is a great honor to us. It is something we take seriously, and do our best to fulfill this position for the powwow and the committee."

According to Whitehead, Rock Hill attends so many powwows throughout the year that it is difficult to keep track. He does know what he enjoys most about each one.

"My favorite part of the powwow is seeing old friends, making new friends, enjoying the good music brought by many of the drums who are attending the celebration. The whole powwow itself gives a person an amazing feeling."

For Holy Eagle, it all comes back to sharing.

"It's a chance to share our culture with other cultures," she said. "It's a chance to peek in on a culture for a short time, kind of like a movie. You leave thinking about it. But it's not a movie."

If you go

What: 23rd annual Black Hills Pow Wow, He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate

When: 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. today, Oct. 9; 8 a.m.to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. Grand entries are at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Where: Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

Admission: A three-day weekend pass is $21.75 for anyone age 13 and older. Single-day passes are $6.25 for ages 4 through 12, and $10.25 for ages 4 through 54. Group rates are available for groups of 25 or more. Admission is free adults ages 55 and older, and for children ages 0 through 3. Seating is general admission.

Powwow schedule

Today

* 7 a.m. to noon - Vendor setup, Rushmore Plaza Civic Center

* 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Youth day events begin, Rushmore North

* 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Dance/drum registration, north arena

* 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - 2009 Miss "He Sapa Win" Pageant begins, LaCroix Hall

* Noon to 9 p.m. - Fine Arts Avenue, People's Choice Poster Contest begins, LaCroix Hall A,B

* 11:30 a.m. - Drum roll call and parade of royalty

* Noon - first grand entry, invocation, introduction of Miss He Sapa Win contestants, men's and women's fancy dance exhibition, Tiny Tot program

* 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Intertribal contest

* 3 p.m. - Mother/daughter special

* 5 p.m. - Supper break, women's old-style jingle dress special

* 6:30 p.m. - Drum roll call and parade of royalty

* 7 p.m. - Second grand entry, invocation, welcome of 2009 Miss He Sapa winner Twila White Bull, Objibwe old-style jingle dress exhibition, intertribal contest, Tiny Tots

* 8:30 p.m. - Crowning of 2009/2010 Miss He Sapa Win

* 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. - Free concert, Powwow Jam, Rushmore Hall

* 11:45 p.m. - Retreat of Eagle staffs/flags

Saturday, Oct. 10

* 8 a.m. - Black Hills Thunder Classic men's softball tourney begins

* 8 a.m. - Hand games tournament begins, east concourse

* 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Skateboard tournament registration begins, 221 New York St.

* 8:15 a.m. - Registration for 5k walk/run at Memorial Park bandshell

* 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. - Archery tournament registration, Rushmore Hall North

* 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Archery tournament begins, Rushmore Hall North

* 8:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. - Walk/run begins, Memorial Park bandshell

* 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Fine Arts Avenue and People's Choice Contest - LaCroix Hall A,B

* 10 a.m. - Hunka (naming) ceremony in honor of Kinya'anii (Peanut) Jones

* Noon - Dancer registration closes

* 11:30 a.m. - Drum roll call and parade of royalty

* Noon - Third grand entry, men's and women's traditional dance exhibition, intertribal contest, Tiny Tots

* 1 p.m. - Kerwin Condon "Tokahe Naji" Memorial Hand Drum Special (five-man) begins

* 3 p.m. - Style show, LaCroix Hall A,B

* 3 p.m. - Women into health and human services honor song

* 5 p.m. - Supper break, Bryant High Horse Men's traditional special

* 5 p.m. - Supper break, II Pte Oyate We Have Survived, Rushmore Hall A & B

* 5 p.m. - The South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Ohitika Na jin Wi Shelter and Sacred Circle candlelight vigil to remember those murdered by domestic violence and to support and celebrate survivors of domestic violence, Memorial Park bandshell.

* 6:30 p.m. - Drum roll call and parade of royalty

* 7 p.m. - Fourth grand entry, introduction of silent witnesses, Iwakci (victory) dance, intertribal contest, Tiny Tots

* 8 p.m. - He Sapa Style Show, La Croix Hall A,B

* 8:30 p.m. - Healing Dance Special

* 11:30 p.m. - Retreat eagle staffs /flags

Sunday, Oct. 11

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Fine Arts Avenue- LaCroix Hall A,B

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - People's Choice Contest, LaCroix Hall A,B

12:30 p.m. - Drum roll call and parade of royalty

1 p.m. - Fifth grand entry, fancy dance exhibition, intertribal contest, Tiny Tots

1 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Kerwin Condon "Tokahe Naji" Memorial Hand Drum Special (five-man)

1 p.m. - Wicaglacka Special

3 p.m. - Announcement of poster contest winner

3 p.m. - Norman Iron Cloud and MJ Bullbear Men's Traditional Special

5 p.m. - Men's traditional dance special, Stephan Yellow hawk

6:30 p.m. - Retreat eagle staff/flags

7 p.m. - Announcement of all categories, dance contest, drum contest