by Frankie Beer, MSU News Service
The 50th annual American Indian Council Powwow at Montana State University, one of the largest powwows in the state, will take place March 27th–28th in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. It is free and open to the public.
The two-day celebration will begin with a grand entry at 5pm Friday, March 27th. Grand entries are also scheduled for 11am and 5pm on Saturday, March 28th.
The event’s 50th year is a celebration of growth for Native student involvement at MSU, said Abigail Whitman, marketing and social media chair of MSU’s American Indian Council. The university is home to more than 800 Native students and provides opportunities for Bobcats to explore Indigenous food systems research, earn prestigious scholarships for work in tribal policy and health care, study in American Indian Hall and organize other campus events.
The powwow is also an opportunity for cultural exchange; Whitman said she was in awe of the Crow-style dancers and their signature elk-tooth dresses last year when she watched them dance for the first time. She enjoyed finding the similarities between other participants’ styles and that of her Nez Perce tribe in Lapwai, Idaho.
“I saw people just like me,” said Whitman, a junior studying equine science. “I get to interact with people and learn their story, and I can tell them mine. It’s a big sharing experience.”
The event includes singing and dancing contests spanning various styles and age groups, in addition to a royalty pageant featuring Miss Indian MSU, Angelina Toineeta. The event’s headwoman dancer is Riley Werk, who is Aaniiih/Nakoda, and its headman dancer is Cleveland Leider, who is Apsáalooke. The powwow’s host drum is Blackstone, a group of Cree singers from the Sweetgrass First Nation in Saskatchewan, Canada. Presiding over the event are Don Racine and Whitney Rencountre.
Following grand entries, the powwow will honor this year’s fall and spring graduates, as well as MSU president Brock Tessman and students, faculty, staff and alumni selected by the American Indian Council. Co-presidents Titan Brockie and Michaiah Pease lead the council.
Food will be available for purchase Friday and Saturday evenings, including tacos, bison sliders and sweet potato fries. Arts and crafts vendors will also be in attendance.
Other highlights of the celebration include:
– Alumni breakfast — 8:30am March 28th, in American Indian Hall’s Great Hall. RSVPs are encouraged and can be submitted online.
– 5K and 1-mile run/walk — 9am March 28th, starting and ending in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse’s south parking lot. Registration is open until 8:55am the day of the run. For more information, email indigicatpowowwfunrun@gmail.com.
“The 50th annual celebration is our biggest celebration ever,” said Nicholas Ross-Dick, American Indian Council co-adviser. “With the leadership of our AIC Executive Council and powwow leadership class, every aspect of the celebration reflects the pride, culture, energy of what MSU is; who and what our students represent as they balance their studies; and investing in building a community that flourishes, reflective of the diversity and beauty of their communities and traditions.”
Those interested in volunteering for the powwow can email aicvolunteeringcommittee@gmail.com.
Updates and further information the event will be posted at www.montana.edu/aic/powwow/. •
