Hi-Line Living: Montana State University- Northern Sweetgrass Society Powwow

The 39th Annual Sweetgrass Society Powwow last weekend brought people from around the continent together to celebrate friendship and life and to dance for those who cannot.

Jamie Underwood, the faculty advisor for the Montana State University-Northern Sweetgrass Society, said that he thought the powwow was a success.

"From our perspective, it went exactly like we had planned," Underwood said. "We had more dancers and drummers than usual. We had folks from all over."

Dancers from as far away as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alaska and New Mexico participated in the powwow. Traditional, fancy, jingle and grass dancers graced the MSU-Northern Armory Gymnasium during the two-day event last Friday and Saturday.

"We had a really good attendance from across the state and across the region," Underwood said.

MSU-Northern Chancellor Greg Kegel spoke at the grand entry Friday and Provost William Rugg spoke at Saturday's. Sen. Jon Tester sent a proclamation that was read to those gathered in the gymnasium.

"A good time was had by everyone," Underwood said.

The Sweetgrass Society is a club focused on Native American culture at the university and the powwow is its biggest event. Members spend much of the year preparing for it.

"We want to make it bigger and better," Underwood said, adding that his calculations showed around 1,500 people took part in the powwow as a participant or a spectator.

Underwood said that next year, the members are planning something special for the powwow's 40th anniversary. The club has all new members with the new academic year, and support from the university's Multicultural Director Cristina Estrada-Underwood.

"It went very well," Estrada-Underwood said. "I think everyone had a good time. I am excited for next year's powwow."

Underwood said that this is one the greatest ways to bring Native American culture to Havre.

"We saw a good cross-section of the community at the powwow," Underwood said. " ... This is a way for the non-Native community to be included and experience the Native culture."

Over 300 dancers registered for the event and more participated, dancing for free. The ceremonial eagle staff led the dancers each day to begin the many hours of competition and, more importantly, to bring people together for the cultural and spiritual event.

Gerald Stiffarm, who was broadcasting live from the powwow for KGVA in Fort Belknap, said the powwow is a celebration of friendship and life.

The powwow's opening ceremony, the grand entry, brings all the dancers onto the floor, dancing in circles to the beat of the drummers rhythmic and evocitive songs.

The circles represent the circle of life and the dancers celebrate the coming together of humankind and nature. They dance for those who cannot and they dance for those who can.