Dancers from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and other Indian tribes from throughout the United States will perform dance exhibitions in the Rotunda at the Mall of America on Thursday, Aug. 14.

The dancers will perform as a preview to the annual SMSC Wacipi (pow wow), which begins the next day.

Traditional music will be provided by Native American singers for dancers in full regalia. The exhibition dancing will be held at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

An American Indian Master of Ceremony will be on hand to explain to the crowd what is going on in the arena, and two drum groups will sing special songs for each style of dance. In addition to a Grand Entry Song, a Flag Song and Veterans Song will be sung.

Each dance exhibition will begin with a Grand Entry. Because Native Americans hold their veterans in high regard, the Sisseton-Wahpeton Vietnam Veterans will be present as well as other veterans.

SMSC Vice-Chairman Glynn Crooks, U.S. Navy, Vietnam Veteran dressed in his traditional regalia, will enter first carrying a staff of eagle feathers along with veterans who will carry other flags and eagle feather staffs.

Then all the dancers will file into the arena by dance category. During the dance exhibition there will be many types of dancing by both male and female adults, teen and child dancers. They will wear spectacular, colorful regalia specific to their dance styles, which include feather bustles, bells, beadwork, buckskin, moccasins, shawls and more.