MMTDC Culture and Events
Wačhípi (= Dancing)
Since 2000, the MMDTC has hosted an annual wačhípi (powwow) on the grounds of St. Peters Church in Mendota. This is a time for the tribe and members of the broader community to get together, dance, listen to music, enjoy good food, and check out art and crafts made by Native artists.
Our wačhípi is held on the second weekend of September. The 2026 Wačhípi will be held on September 11–13. All are welcome!
To keep admission free, we fund our wačhípi through grants from organizations such as the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council and through private donations. If you wish to make a donation to support our wačhípi, you may do so by clicking here:
Supporting Dakota Culture in Minnesota
The MMDTC supports Dakota language and culture in Minnesota. Here are some of the organizations and debates we support:
MMDTC Community and Government Center Project
The MMDTC is raising money to purchase land in the Dakota County area and to build a Community and Government Center. This facility will serve as a permanent home for the tribal office, meeting place for the community, and a space for holding Dakota cultural events and programs.
During 2025, we worked with Full Circle Planning + Design to create conceptual drawings and floor plans for this building. In 2026, we will be starting a campaign to raise the money necessary to make these plans a reality.
If you would be interested in supporting our efforts to purchase land and build our community center, you can do so by contacting the tribal office or by clicking on the button below:
Dakota Language Camps
The Dakota-language non-profit Dakhóta Okhódakičhiye Iápi hosts Dakota-language camps at various locations in Minnesota. Stay tuned for updates on the next language camp.
For more information on the Dakota language and learning resources, visit Dakhóta Iápi Okhodakičhiye’s website at https://dakhota.org
Wétu Dakhód’iapi Oéthi Tickets, Saturday, Mar 21 from 11 am to 4:30 pm
Dakota 38 Memorial Run
MMDTC members support and help organize the 38 Run on December 25–26 to honor the 38 Dakota men executed in Mankato on December 26, 1862 following the U.S.-Dakota War.