By Alan Sorensen
The gym was packed, the kids were having fun inside and out, the concession stand and vendors did brisk business, the drum groups and singers didn't miss a beat and the dance competitions were heated.
It was powwow with a capital P. It was the Montana State University-Northern Sweetgrass Society Powwow, held in the college gym over Easter weekend.
Emcee Russell Standing Rock of Rocky Boy tirelessly stayed on top of the action and arena director Big Wind Windy Boy of Billings was a constant presence during and between dances.
Flags were presented by Rocky Boy Veterans, head male dancer was Guy Fox of Spokane, Wash., and head female dancer was Kishey Baker of Rocky Boy.
The Sweetgrass Society inscribed on the powwow program cover the following welcome to its guests for the 26th annual Powwow:
The Powwow is an important part of Native American life. It is a time to renew thoughts of the old ways and participate in the intertribal culture without giving up one's own unique identity. People who are Native American are welcomed and encouraged to participate in powwow activities. Each tribe has different customs and ways of doing things, be respectful of the distinct differences that are the spirit of the powwow and the Indian way of life.
powwow.com
Winners announced late Saturday night were:
Dancers
Men's Fancy: 1. Rooster Top Sky, Rocky Boy;
Men's Grass: 1. Randy Paskemin, Sweetgrass, Saskatchewan, 2. Kenroy Bear, Fort Quappelle, Saskatchewan, 3. Ron Lodgepole, Rocky Boy;
Men's Traditional: 1. Terry Brockie, Fort Belknap, 2. Gary Comes At Night, Blackfeet, 3. Paul Heck, Hays;
Women's Fancy: 1. Carrie McNabb, Gordon's Reserve, 2. Rachel Francis Wolf Leg, Siksika Nation, Alberta, 3. Kassie Nicholson, Fort Belknap;
Women's Jingle: 1. Mary Not Afraid, Fort Belknap, 2. Brandi Cyr, Fort Quappelle, Saskatchewan, 3. Anika Top Sky, Rocky Boy;
Women's Traditional: 1. Danita Cornelson, Fairfax, Okla.,2. Agnes Francis, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, 3. Mary Top Sky, Rocky Boy;
Teen Boys Grass: 1. John Boy Moosomin, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, 2. Andrew Windy Boy, Rocky Boy, 3. Kassly Standing Rock, Rocky Boy;
Teen Boys Traditional: 1. Jesse Standing Rock, Rocky Boy, 2. Frank Skinner, Harlem, 3. Gary Whitford, Rocky Boy;
Teen Girls Fancy: 1. Lorna Martell, Wolf Point, 2. Cassie Morsette, Hays, 3. Jeanette Whiteman, Hays;
Teen Girls Jingle: 1. Mia Spoonhunter, Browning, 2. Aarica Healy, Harlem, 3. Delena Boyer, Billings;
Teen Girls Traditional: 1. Autumn Desjarlais, Helena, 2. Shoshana Saddler, Rocky Boy, 3. Mary Jo LeBeau, Wolf Point;
Jr. Boys Fancy: 1. Trey Darmon, Rocky Boy, 2. Charles Rider, Fort Belknap;
Jr. Boys Grass: 1. Julian Smoker, Frazier, 2. Charles Windy Boy, Rocky Boy, 3. Brandon Coffee, Rocky Boy;
Jr. Boys Traditional: 1. Artie Hoops, Harlem, 2.
Beau Black Wolf, Hays, 3. Ty Mount, Harlem;
Jr. Girls Fancy: 1. Vina Healy, Harlem, 2. Randy Small, Rocky Boy, 3. Randi Martell, Wolf Point;
Jr. Girls Jingle: 1. Erika Longknife, Fort Belknap, 2. Jaycene Coffee, Rocky Boy, 3. Tommie Martell, Wolf Point;
These are the Princesses of 2000 who had specials and giveaways.
Winners of the Shoshana Saddler, Miss Indian MSU-N Senior Princess Special: Danita Cornelson, Fairfax, Oklahoma and Jessica Whiteshield, Clinton, Oklahoma;
Winners of the Alexis Flansburg Tiny Tot Special: Boys Levi Jones, Age 6, Girls Marquita Wright, Age 5;
Jeri Lyn Nepoose Special The winners' names were unavailable;
Jestina Good Voice hosted a giveaway.
The Montana State University-Northern Princesses crowned for 2001 Saturday night were:
Baby MSU-N Princess Kari Ann Trahant, 2, Chippewa Cree, Rocky Boy. Parents are Sandra The Boy and D'Armon Trahant. Grandparents are Elaine Top Sky and Michael Trahant and Dale and Barb Jones.
Lil Miss Indian MSU-N Princess Misty Baker, 3, Ahtah KaKoop Cree, Box Elder. Parents are Kishay and Harlan Baker.
Miss Indian MSU-N Jr. Princess Christina Flansburg, 9, Gros Ventre/Little Shell, Hays. Parents are Terri and Jim Flansburg. Grandparents are Elaine Healy-Berger and James Berger, Sr., Velma and the late Arden Flansburg, Raymond Chapican and the late Dolores Brisbo.
Miss Indian MSU-N Senior Princess Ashley Alvarado, 16, Gros Ventre Hays. Parents are Terri and Jim Flansburg. Grandparents are Elaine Healy-Berger and James Berger, Sr., Velma Flansburg and the late Arden Flansburg, Carmen Alvarado, Raymond Chapican and the late Dolores Brisbo.
Winner of the 50/50 Raffle and Zane Blatt Picture was Jake Romero, Wolf Point.
The stated objectives of Montana State University-Northern Sweetgrass Society, as inscribed on the back of the powwow program, are:
To recruit and assist Native American students;
To create a support system that fosters academic success for all students;
To enlighten all people about Native American culture and values.
