The sound of drums, dancing and laughter filled the Little Shell Tribe’s arbor in Great Falls this weekend as families, dancers and visitors gathered to celebrate culture and community.
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The Little Shell Tribe held its annual Elders and Veterans Powwow on the third weekend of August, continuing a tradition that has now spanned 15 years.
This year also marked the third year the powwow has been held at the tribe’s new arbor, giving the Little Shell community a permanent space to gather and celebrate its traditions.
“That's who we are, the culture of American Indian people. To gather, be together, visit,” Little Shell Tribal Chairman Gerald Gray said.
The powwow drew people from across Montana, the United States and Canada, featuring dancers from different tribes, vendors, families and longtime powwow attendees. All coming together to share in the celebration.
Gray said this year’s event was one of the largest the tribe has seen, with more than 500 dancers participating and more vendors than in previous years.
“It's amazing. Just to be a part of it. This is the most dancers we've had, over 500 this year,” Gray said. “So our powwow is getting bigger. It’s the most vendors we’ve had. So, it's really cool that it’s just growing. It's really exciting to be a part of that.”
While the powwow offers an opportunity to celebrate, it also serves as a way to pass traditions from one generation to the next.
For the Little Shell Tribe, the new arbor is helping provide a place where those traditions can continue to grow.
The annual powwow will return to Great Falls next August, continuing the tribe’s tradition of gathering on the third weekend of the month to celebrate its culture and community.
