Wayne Pushetonequa is a member of the Meskwaki Tribe. During the past fifteen years Wayne has danced and competed in the grass dance category. His life was centered around the drum and singing prior to that. His powwow travels began during the late 60’s when he traveled to powwows in South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Utah and Manitoba Canada as the Bear Singers. Wayne studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe New Mexico where he met his wife, Annamae One Star of St Francis South Dakota. At Santa Fe Wayne and his brother Adrian became acquainted with a number of individuals who also enjoyed singing. The group of friends enrolled at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design after graduating from IAIA and continued singing at powwows in the Twin Cities area. The first major powwow they attended was in Bismarck ND at United Tribes in 1974 where they registered as the Red Earth singers. Wayne served as lead singer and drum keeper during the 20 years that the group traveled throughout the United States and parts of Canada. Wayne and Annamae have five children, Quinton, Martel, Grace, Jerod and Lenore who also enjoy the Powwow life. Grace is a champion jingle dress dancer while Quinton and Martel both sing with the Meskwaki Nation drum group. Jerod enjoys the southern style of singing and most recently has been singing with a newly formed group named Southern Hill. Lenore has set her mind on being a shawl dancer. Wayne has served as head singing judge at Tama and as one of three head northern singing judges at Prairie Island Minnesota. He is honored to be selected as the head drum judge at this years powwow.