Powwow honors graduates
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Dancer Naomi Billedeaux-Myers waits for the grand entry line up at the SKC powwow.
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A spring powwow brings everyone together for dancing and visiting after a long winter, an elder explained.
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Audrey Kenmille plays on the stairs, waiting for the powwow to begin.
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Elder Francis Stanger dances during the Salish Kootenai College powwow.
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The grand entry on Friday night draws more than 100 dancers to the floor.
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A young powwow dancer wears beaded Hello Kitty barrettes.
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PABLO — With an impressive line-up of drums, the Salish Kootenai College powwow filled the Joe McDonald Health and Fitness Center on May 9 and 10 with grand entries at 7:45 on Friday evening and at 1 and 7 p.m. on May 10.
This is the second annual powwow for SKC, hosted by Spirit of the Bison. This year the powwow also honored SKC’s graduates, according to Allen Addison, Spirit of the Bison advisor.
ShiNaasha Pete, president of Spirit of the Bison, was happy to see more than 100 dancers at the Friday night powwow grand entry. She hoped more dancers would come throughout the evening.
Spirit of the Bison fundraises consistently throughout the year to put on the powwow.
“Our biggest thing is homemade breakfast burritos,” ShiNaasha said.
Spirit of the Bison also does 50/50s at powwows. The SKC Foundation donates to the group as well as Prevention and Wellness.
Elder Alec Quequesah emceed the grand entry, led by Kenny McClure, and the beginning of the Friday night powwow until Shonto Pete arrived from Spokane to take over the microphone.
Head woman dancer was Stormie Perdash and head man dancer was Ronnie Harris.
Drums included: Bear Spirit, Chief Cliff, Big Crane, Bad Rock, Snyelemn, Rebel Alliance, Frank and Crew, Native Heart, Young Star, Star Society, Sunrise and Kicking Woman.
Spirit of the Bison is a small group, so students are encouraged to join and help with the powwow.
