Happenings Around Missoula

Weekend Highlights for the 112th Arlee Powwow

By Bea Gordon, 7-02-10

	Traditional dancer performs Thursday at the 112th Arlee Powwow. Photo by Bea Gordon.

In a celebration with roots that extend to the 19th century, the Arlee Powwow shifted into its Old Style Day Thursday night. 

But the Fourth of July Powwow’s path to its 112th iteration had a notorious rocky start. Robert Bigart, who edited “Over a Century of Moving to the Drum: Salish Indian Celebrations on the Flathead Indian Reservation,” writes in a program introduction, “In the 1890’s…traditional Indian dances were illegal under Bureau of Indian Affairs rules and the Indian police and Flathead Indian Agent Peter Ronan used the threat of U.S. Army intervention to break up the dance.”

It survived Agent Ronan, masked then as a Fourth of July celebration.

A range of events are happening through Sunday, dominated by dance.  Today marks the beginning of competition dancing for children, adults and seniors.  The fancy dance, based on a double-step and featuring intricate footwork and speed, will be featured along with drum competitions tonight, beginning at 7. 

Saturday’s highlights include a parade and native games at 10 a.m.  After a drum roll call, the grand entry at 1 p.m. will include dance performances from the youngest of the dancers— the tiny tots —as well as performances by adult men, women and seniors.

The July Fourth holiday Sunday will feature an Indian Mass at 11 a.m.  The snake dance, the traditional opening of a war dance in which dancers mimic the movements of a snake, will follow at 2 p.m. Competition dancers in traditional regalia will close the day’s ceremony and celebration dance and drum winners will be announced after performances by the various age groups. 

The powwow, hosted by the Flathead Nation, is open to the public and all are welcome.  Visit arleepowwow.com for more information regarding schedule and events.

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