Shirley Sneve
ICT

A powwow announcer plays many an important role: keeping the event on schedule, locating the owner of lost children and objects, explaining to the uninitiated observer what’s happening in the dance arena.

And even cracking a joke or two or telling a story before the Grand Entry or between dances and honoring ceremonies.

It’s a role Everette “Butch” Felix knows well. He’s been doing it since Gerald Ford was in the White House and he knows he is part of a long and deep tradition.

“I have a little ritual before I announce anywhere, I say a prayer of gratitude to those that helped me, and to look towards me or stand beside me,” said Felix, Sicangu Lakota.  “So I can do things in an honorable, respectful manner – and provide some humor to keep people entertained.”

I caught up with Felix recently at the 64th annual Wakpa Ipaksan (Bend in the River) Flandreau Wacipi, the Flandreau Powwow, in eastern South Dakota. He was at home in the announcer’s stand with Whitney Rencountre II, who represents the next generation of powwow announcers.

Eyapaha is the Lakota word for powwow announcer. In 2011, Oglala journalist and former National Congress of American Indians director Chuck Trimble wrote: “The eyapaha, or village crier, heralded the stories of courage around the camp when warriors returned from battle, and were important people themselves.”

Like many eyapahas, Felix didn’t seek the role.

“Announcing for wacipis/powwows just kind of morphed itself onto me. I was working in Student Services for Sinte Gleska College in the early years. Playing music with my brothers in The Country Skins Band at the same time.” Felix remembers. The Country Skins were a very popular band beginning in the 1970s.

Whitney Rencountre II, a citizen of the Crow Creek Hunkpati Dakota Nation, left, stands with longtime powwow announcer Everette “Butch” Felix, Sicangu Lakota at the 64th annual Wakpa Ipaksan (Bend in the River) Flandreau Wacipi. “I treasure moments that I get to sit with long time eyapaha/emcees like Butch Felix,” Rencountre says. “His knowledge, rapport with others, respect, and generosity are wonderful to see.” (Courtesy of Whitney Rencountre II)

“I was involved in the entertainment and then morphed into the wacipi (powwow), with Uncle Albert White Hat announcing. At the same time any time I was at a wacipi, the announcers asked me to sit with them. I learned by listening and watching. Certain things they said or did, then they would say, ‘hec’el ecanu kte’ (That’s how you will do that). Back then Bernard White Hat was our Founder’s Day arena director, so he would coach on what the protocol is in the Circle. Uncles, well known announcers too, gave me advice all the way through. One, Leksi/Uncle Leo Menard, listened at an event in Ghost Hawk Park, his health was failing, and called me over. He said, ‘you’re almost there.’ We laughed and I thanked him.” Felix reminisced.  “Fortunately in those years I was honored to announce with some great elders! All of them are gone now.”

Felix had a knack for the job and was asked to emcee at other events as well, including softball tournaments, rodeos, car demolition derbies, to name a few.

Felix carries on many traditions and ways he learned from his elders through the generations. Humility is a value of Lakota people.

“I didn’t want to do any name dropping because of my respect for the teachers. It was interesting when I started, all these memories piled up on me! I have heard some of these younger announcers carry on about who, what, when, and etc.” Felix said, “I smile and look away.”

I have included these  names because, as a granddaughter of Sicangu ancestors, I feel it’s important to remember those who carry forth our traditions.

My great uncle Harvey Ross was one of those ancestors. He married Agnes Allen of the Flandreau Santee Tribe. After my mother’s father died, when she was 14, Uncle Harvey stepped in. I sat with Uncle Harvey and Aunt Agnes many times at wacipis to listen to stories and learn the ways of my Lakota and Dakota people.

Felix sang at Uncle Harvey’s funeral in 2009.

“I have a couple boxes full of memorial cards where my music helped to ease a family’s loss. Even my relatives, mom, dad, all my siblings and some of their children. Once I sang at wakes and the funerals at three, all at same times within close distances of each, times were slightly different. So I made all three.” Felix sang “Before the Next Teardrop Fall,” a Freddy Fender song in Lakota for his mother’s funeral.

Marla Bull Bear, Sicangu Lakota, said that culture and traditions are important for a healthy nation. She is executive director of Lakota Youth Development and a familiar dancer in the powwow arena.

Annie Johnson Felix, a citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, stands with her husband Everette “Butch” Felix, Sicangu Lakota, in this photograph from 2014. “Annie is doing everything for me! I feel so guilty and frustrated but I do what I can,” said Butch Felix who is facing some health challenges. (Courtesy of Annie and Butch Felix)

But you won’t hear such things from Felix, Bull Bear said.

“It’s a reassuring thing that when we go to a new powwow, a new place. If Butch is announcing, then we feel at home,” she said. “We go up and shake his hand, and some of us get teased a lot by Butch. You know, if you don’t get teased, you’re not cared for. And so we know how Butch cares for us, because when he sees us at a powwow, he’s always teasing us, you know? But in a good, fun way, you know? Nothing that has a barb to it. Today, there’s a lot of negativity that seeps (in with) announcers, and a lot more colonized thinking is starting to come out, a lot of negative things.”

“He is one of the original emcees that helps share about our culture. He always has the right thing to say. I’ve been to wakes and funerals where he’s been there to speak. He always knows what is the most appropriate thing to say, What will lift people up? What will educate people? What will help them stay grounded in their culture?” she said. “That’s Butch. That’s his life.”

Alongside Felix at the Bend in the River Powwow in Flandreau was younger eyapaha, Whitney Rencountre II, a citizen of the Crow Creek Hunkpati Dakota Nation, in central South Dakota. In addition to being the CEO of the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, he serves on the board of the Black Hills Powwow Association, which puts on the Black Hills Powwow that will be held October 10-12, 2026, at The Monument in Rapid City, South Dakota.

“Being part of the next generation of eyapaha/emcees, I treasure moments that I get to sit with long time eyapaha/emcees like Butch Felix.  His knowledge, rapport with others, respect, and generosity are wonderful to see,” Rencountre said. “At this stage, he shared how much he appreciates his wife Annie and how she takes care of him. I think it’s good for the younger generation to have role models like Butch and Annie Felix. I’m truly grateful to sit with him and learn the traditions.”

Annie Johnson Felix is a citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate from the Buffalo Lake District in northeastern South Dakota. She married Butch on December 30, 1983. Five years ago, complications from hip surgery compromised his respiratory system. He totes an oxygen tank with him up the steps of the powwow announcer stand, but he’s hopeful, having started a new experimental treatment.

“Annie is doing everything for me! I feel so guilty and frustrated but I do what I can,” Felix said. He’s had to opt out of some wacipis this year, but honors those who respect the old ways –  especially those who give him an offering of tobacco. He says it’s better than a contract, carrying more cultural and spiritual meaning.

Felix has a few more wacipis on his summer schedule, before taking a break at home near Sisseton.

• The Upper Sioux Community Wacipi is August 7-9, 2026 in Granite Falls, Minnesota.
• The 150th Annual Rosebud Fair, Wacipi & Rodeo, August 26-30, 2026, at the Rosebud Fairgrounds in Rosebud, South Dakota.
• The annual Winona-Dakota Gathering and Wacipi, October 3-4, 2026, at Unity Park on the east end of Lake Winona in Winona, Minnesota.

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