Badger Run 2022

Leroy Rodriguez (North Badger)

Badger Run 2022

Victoria Martinez-Soto (West Badger)

Tribe Fall 2022 Pow Wow

Daniel Villarreal, Council/Veteran

Tribe Fall 2022 Pow Wow

Grand Entry, Veterans

Tribe's Dakee Si (Fall Gathering) Pow Wow 2022

The Lipan Apache Tribe’s 52nd Annual Dakee Si (Fall Gathering) Pow-Wow took place on October 22, 2022, in Alton, Texas, at the Alton Community Center. Tribe Vice-chair Robert Soto reports that this year’s fall event was very successful with over 45 participating dancers, 15 vendors, and over 1500 spectators at this free pow-wow. The dancers joined from all over--the local region, throughout Texas, and across the US.

The pow-wow celebration was organized and run by volunteers led by Robert Soto, Vice-chair of the Tribe, who coordinate the general fund-raising and sponsors, special guests, drum group, arena set-up, vendors, and entire pow-wow schedule.

The pow-wow activities began early morning on Saturday with the ceremonial Badger Run, traditional long distance running event. This year, Badger Runners—Leroy Rodriguez (White/North Badger) and Victoria Martinez-Soto (Yellow/West Badger)—were asked to run 5 miles. As the lead badger runners, Leroy carried the eagle feather baton throughout the run and presented it at the end of the run to the Council members attending.

After the Gourd Dancing at 11am, the grand entry commenced at 1pm as participants danced into the circle, led into the arena by veterans carrying the eagle feather staff and flags. The eagle feather staff represents the “flag” of American Indian people throughout North America. Also, eagle feathers are sacred to the Lipan Apache who have been mandated since the beginning of time to hold the Eagle sacred and use its feathers in their ceremonies.

This year’s Dakee Si Pow Wow’s sponsors were the City of Alton, the Lipan Apache Tribe, Son Tree Native Path, and McAllen Grace Brethren Church. We want to thank the City of Alton for offering their rec center and facilities free to the Tribe.

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