The 49th annual American Indian Council Powwow at Montana State University will be held Friday and Saturday, March 28th–29th at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The event is free and open to the public.
The powwow is one of the largest in the state and will begin with a grand entry at 5pm Friday, March 28th. Grand entries also are scheduled for 11am and 5pm on Saturday, March 29th.
A prominent aspect of this year’s event will be to honor Walter Fleming, professor and head of MSU’s Department of Native American Studies, who has taught at the university since 1979. The special recognition will take place after the grand entry on Friday evening.
“Dr. Fleming has had a storied, illustrious career serving MSU and generations of students,” said MSU’s American Indian Council co-advisers Lisa Perry and Nicholas Ross-Dick in a written statement. “The AIC is excited to present him to family, friends, colleagues and past and present students in the way the dance circle can – full of energy, life and celebration.”
Other highlights of the two-day celebration, built on the theme of “Empowering Each Other,” include a royalty pageant, sale of limited-edition merchandise, alumni brunch and basketball tournament.
The host drum group will be the Southern Cree from Rocky Boy. The head woman dancer is Ella Wetsit of Tumwater, Washington, and the head man dancer is Ryan Old Crow of Hardin. Miss Indian MSU is Kelsey Mad Plume of Browning.
Masters of ceremonies are Don Racine and Chico Her Many Horses; arena directors are Walter Runs Above and Dean Don’t Mix; head singing judge is Antoine Paul; and head dancing judge is Jordynn Paz. Co-presidents of MSU’s American Indian Council are Titan Brockie and Anthony Hernandez.
Tiny Tots dancers, up to 5 years of age, will be allowed to dance and will receive small prizes during each of the three powwow sessions.
Powwow organizers are seeking volunteers from MSU and the greater community to help with the event. Those interested in volunteering may contact the committee at aicvolunteeringcommittee@gmail.com.
The annual MSU Powwow Basketball Tournament will be held in Shroyer Gymnasium beginning at noon on March 28th and 8:30am on March 29th. For more information, call (406) 994-1311 or email powwowball@gmail.com.
The Presidential American Indian Alumni Brunch is set for 9am on Saturday, March 29th, in the Great Hall of American Indian Hall. More information is available at montana.edu/aic/powwow/alumnibrunch.html. Contact the MSU Alumni Foundation at (406) 994-2401 or email alumni@montana.edu for more information. The brunch is free, but those who wish to attend should RSVP at rsvp@msuaf.org.
The American Indian Council, an MSU student organization, raises funds to help ensure the powwow remains a free event. The Department of Native American Studies and multiple colleges, departments and programs, as well as off-campus organizations, also contribute.
For more information about the powwow, visit www.montana.edu/aic. •
