American Indian Council Powwow starts March 31 at MSU

From the MSU News Service

BOZEMAN — The 47th annual American Indian Council Powwow at Montana State University will be held March 31 through April 1 at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The powwow is free and open to all.

The MSU American Indian Council Powwow is one of the largest in Montana. The powwow begins at 6 p.m. Friday, March 31, with a grand entry. There will also be grand entries at noon and 6 p.m. Saturday, April 1. Dance and drum competitions with cash prizes are offered at the completion of the powwow.

The host drum group will be Showtime, which was established in South Dakota. The head woman dancer is Ruthee Baker, who is Shoshone-Bannock from Fort Hall, Idaho. Head man dancer is Tennison Big Day from Arrow Creek. Maleeya Knows His Gun, Crow and Northern Cheyenne from Ashland, is Miss Indian MSU. Dionne Ferris, Eastern Shoshone from Fort Washakie, Wyoming, is Miss Teen MSU; Samone Birdinground, Crow from Bozeman, is Junior Miss MSU; and Linussa Croff, Blackfeet from Browning, is Tiny Tot Princess. Honor Guard is Northern Cheyenne Women Warriors, and Tabulations is Gisele Forrest, Fort Peck Nakoda from Missoula.

The masters of ceremonies will be Don Racine, Aaniiih (White Clay) from Fort Belknap, and Francis Sherwood, Arikara, Hidatsa and Navajo from Aurora, Colorado. The arena directors are Rich Singer, Crow from Ethete, Wyoming, and Valor Killsback, Northern Cheyenne from Lame Deer.

The head dance judges are Alden Spoonhunter, Arapaho, Blackfeet and Lakota from Browning, and Truth Brockie, White Clay and Dine from Fort Belknap. Head singing judges are Ryan Old Crow, Crow from Crow Agency, and Zachariah Rides at the Door, Blackfeet from Browning. Co-presidents of MSU’s American Indian Council, are Killsback, a fourth-year student majoring in philosophy, and Brockie, a third-year student majoring in microbiology.

Tiny Tots dancers, up to 5 years of age, will be given an opportunity to dance and will receive small prizes during each of the three powwow sessions.

Booths located in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse will offer a variety of artisan work for sale, and nonprofit and government organizations also will share information. 

Powwow organizers are seeking volunteers from the MSU and the greater community to help with the event. Those interested may volunteer at the south entrance of the fieldhouse during the powwow or by filling out a form available at montana.edu/aic/powwow.

The American Indian Council Powwow Fun Run, with 5K, mile and walking categories, will be held Saturday, April 1, beginning and ending at American Indian Hall on campus. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with the race starting at 9. There is a $25 registration fee, which includes a T-shirt, door prizes, snacks and drinks. For more information, email [email protected].

The annual MSU Powwow Basketball Tournament, with cash prizes, will be held beginning Thursday, March 30, and will run through April 1. For more information, email [email protected].

The 2023 American Indian Alumni Brunch is set for 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1, in the American Indian Hall. For more information about the brunch, go to montana.edu/aic/powwow/alumnibrunch.html, contact the MSU Alumni Foundation at 406-994-2586 or email [email protected]. The brunch is free, but those who wish to attend should RSVP by March 30 by emailing [email protected].

The American Indian Council, an MSU student organization, raises funds to help ensure the powwow is free. The MSU 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, people can go to montana.edu/aic, email [email protected] or contact Lisa Perry at 406-994-4880 or [email protected] or Nick Ross-Dick at 406-994-5529 or [email protected].