Cabbrina Plainfeather works getting her two children, Hadrian and Cyra, into their powwow regalia. (James Woodcock/Billings Gazette)
Montana State University student Olivia Main-Stead, who is Gros Ventre, says powwows are among the most important aspects of her life. They affirm, she says, that “no matter what we’ve have been through, we’re still here.”
And women have a huge role in powwows. A program Wednesday at Montana State, in Bozeman, will take a look at that role.
As Reno Charette, director of American Indian Outreach at MSU-Billings, tells Mary Pickett of the Billings Gazette, here: “When your child is out dancing in full regalia, it’s a reflection on the mother. When your child looks like a million bucks, it’s worth it.”
The story serves as a good guide for non-Native on powwows and powwow etiquette. And it has a lot of information about powwow events this week at Montana State.
The program will be at noon Wednesday in the university’s Student Union Building Room 168. Panelists will be Lark Real Bird Paz of the Crow Tribe; Maria Russell, Northern Cheyenne; and Wasewi Shawl, Blackfeet.
The Montana State University American Indian Council Powwow will be Friday and Saturday in the Brick Breeden Field House in Bozeman.
Grand entries will be 6 p.m. on April 2 and noon and 6 p.m. on April 3. A free chili dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m., April 3.
On April 2 during the afternoon, Crow artist Kevin Red Star will sign prints of “Crow Medicine Man and Helper” to raise money for the powwow. The prints, which cost $50, will be on sale.
Gwen Florio
Tags: Blackfeet, Brick Breeden Field House, buffalo post, Crow, Grox Ventre, Gwen Florio, Kevin Red Star, Montana State University, Montana State University American Indian Council Powwow, MSU-Billings American Indian Outreach, Native American news, Northern Cheyenne, powwows, Reno Charette
