Powwow schedule set for Chippewa Cree Celebration at Rocky Boy

The 55th Annual Chippewa Cree Celebration at Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation will be held this week.

Wednesday, July 31

The day begins with the Opioid Response Gathering at 10 a.m. followed by the Kids’ Rodeo in the evening.

The Kids’ Rodeo gives youth rodeo competitors 18 years of age and younger a chance to win prize money and honors in a number of events, with action starting at 5 p.m. at the Sybil Sangrey-Colliflower Memorial Arena in Box Elder.

The youth are competing in age brackets of ages 6 and younger and 7-9 years, vying for $100 added to their prize money, and 10-13 and 14-18 competing for $200 added to the purse.

The youth rodeo will also include a special team roping competition.

Thursday, Aug. 1

The 20th Anniversary Youth Powwow will have two grand entries, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the powwow grounds on Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. Registration begins at noon.

The Youth Powwow consists of three Categories: Tiny Tots 6 years and under, Jr. Girls/Boys 7-12 years old and Teen Girls/Boys 13 to 17 years old.

During the 5 p.m. dinner break before the evening grand entry, attendees will hear from presenters about service programs on the reservation.

Special presenter, Apsáalooke hip-hop artist and traditional dancer Supaman, will perform and talk about the importance of culture identity and not using social media as the only way to connect with friends.

The INFR Rodeo starts at 6 p.m. at the Sybil Sangrey-Colliflower Memorial Arena in Box Elder.

The rodeo, a qualifier for the Indian Nationals Final Rodeo, is a four-day event with further performances starting at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday for the short round.

Thursday’s performance is for junior and senior competitors. All the competitors who qualified in the first three days, will compete in the short go Sunday.

Friday, Aug. 2

Friday will see a full slate of activities, including the first day of the powwow.

The 2019 Rocky Boy Walk for Sobriety will start Friday at 9 a.m. at the tribal courts offices, with registration beginning at 8 a.m., for the 3.5-mile route.

The slack performance for the rodeo’s major timed events will begin at 9 a.m. at the Sybil Sangrey-Colliflower Memorial Arena in Box Elder, with Indian Relay Races starting at 5 p.m.

The first day of the powwow begins with Grand Entry at 7 p.m. at the powwow grounds, and the second night of INFR Rodeo begins at 7 p.m. at the arena in Box Elder.

Saturday, Aug. 3

Saturday begins at 10 a.m. the 2019 Joel Rosette Memorial Golf Tournament at Beaver Creek Golf Course, with registration at 9 a.m. Registration is open until all slots are filled or the four-man scramble tournament starts. People can contact J.R. Rosette at 399-6320 or Neal Rosette Jr. at 399-0561.

Day two of the powwow will include Men’s Traditional Special, Golden Age Grass/Jingle Special, Sr. Men’s Traditional Special, Men’s Grass Special, Crow Style, Teen Girls Special, Smokedance competitions.

Grand Entries are set for noon and 7 p.m. and the third night of INFR Rodeo begins at 7 p.m. at the arena in Box Elder.

The day will also include a $17,000 Stick Game Tournament at the powwow grounds.

Sunday, Aug. 4

The final day of the Chippewa Cree Celebration will starting at noon with an Indian Taco Eating Contest and the Chippewa Cree Elder Grand Entry.

The powwow will include Hat/Boot Dance Special, Men’s Fancy Dance Special for ages 18-30, and a Drum Contest competitions. The day will also include 3-Man and Kids stick game tournaments at the powwow grounds.

The short-go of the INFR Rodeo begins at 1 p.m. in Box Elder.