Sweetgrass Society powwow this weekend

Montana State University-Northern’s Sweetgrass Society will usher in the powwow season Friday and Saturday when they host their 41st annual powwow in the Campus-Armory Gymnasium.

Sweetgrass Society member Amy Murdock said the powwow will kick off Friday at 7 p.m with a grand entry. Subsequent grand entries will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Murdock said the powwow, which Sweetgrass Society members often begin fundraising and organizing for in January, serves to educate Havre and other nearby communities about American Indian tradition. She said powwow activities will include traditional song, dance and a hand drum contest

Vendors will be at the powwow, though Murdock said Friday that organizers do not yet know how many will attend. People interested in having a table can pick up an application in the Little River Institute on the second floor of the Student Union Building,

Murdock said that this year, Kenneth “Tuffy” Helgeson will be the master of ceremonies and Timothy Parker Jr. the arena director.

Specials will include:

• A $1,500 Men’s Traditional Special in Honor of Gilbert Horn Sr., and sponsored by his family.

• Tiny Tot Special in Honor of Lil Miss MSU-N Harmony Winter Dawn Sinclair

• The J’Reece Sutherland Third Annual Hand Drum Contest

• Full Regalia War Bonnet Buckskin Special and Giveaway in memory of Videl Stump Sr., and sponsored by Ken Standing Rock. Participants must dance in all three grand entries

• Junior Girls Jingle Special in Honor of MSU-N Jr. Princess Araya Mount

The powwow is a drug- and alcohol-free event that is free and open to the public.