The beat goes on…

106th Arlee Powwow and Celebration draws attendees from across North America

ARLEE - Drums, bells and a rhythmic drum beat permeated Jocko Valley as nearly 900 Indians dressed in ceremonial outfits danced during Saturday's grand entry of the 106th Arlee Powwow and Celebration.

Feathers, shawls, fringe and intricate beading glowed in the late afternoon sun as 200 non-registered dancers joined 680 registered dancers, representing more than a dozen tribes under the Arlee pavilion.

Wearing a large beaded butterfly choker and headband made by her father and a jingle dress stitched with 366 metal cones, Sissy Gopher, 16, of Browning visited with young friends she had met at other powwows around the state.

Some participants came from as far as New Zealand and New York. Others stopped to say hello in Salish at the Nk'wusm booth, where Chaney Bell was selling buffalo meat and T-shirts to help support the Salish Language School in Arlee. Fewer than 70 people speak the language today, Bell said. The school is teaching young children so they can pass the language on to the next generation.

"We want the (Salish) language to be visible throughout the whole reservation," he said.

Fry bread and Indian taco booths were also visible - and popular - as people didn't seem to mind waiting in some very long lines for dinner.

Terry and Susan Bizzell's Soaring Eagle Cafe offered pazole and "powwow burgers," a half-pound patty with fry bread folded around the meat, explained Terry Bizzell. Susan Bizzell, a Chippewa, said she would rather be cooking than dancing.

"Good food - that's our gift," Terry said.

Gifted artist, historian and Noxon resident Cameron Blagg sat near his display of oils and lithographs depicting Western scenes and Indian art, chatting with friends he'd met at other powwows.

"I try to make enough money so my wife can play at the stick game,' Blagg said with a laugh. "She's related to all these people, so she socializes and has a good time."

Arlee resident Jackeey Huff had never been to a powwow before, and she couldn't quite find the words to describe her reaction to the colorful inter-tribal dancing.

"The outfits. I was like, wow," she said.

On Sunday, Vietnam veteran Tom Camel, 56, a lifelong Mission Valley resident, received two long-overdue medals: a bronze star for accomplishments as a Army combat medic and the Vietnamese cross for service above and beyond the call of duty. Camel lost a leg during battle, and has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Being honored helped him heal, he said.

"I felt like a kid in a candy store, like I was getting all this good stuff," he said. "It's going to be a positive experience from now on." Camel thanked Greg Burham of the Veterans Outreach Center in Missoula and Dr. Bob Shea, who were both instrumental in helping Camel get his medals.

Long-time residents Thomas "Bearhead" Swaney and Doug Allard were honored with a Thursday night feast.

Swaney grew up in Dixon but lives on Post Creek, his ancestral home since 1847. After serving four years in the Korean War, Swaney worked for and served on the council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Under his direction, the Flathead Reservation earned a "pristine" air quality status. With the help of friends, Swaney has developed and maintained the celebration grounds throughout the years.

Born in St. Ignatius, Allard is owner of the Flathead Indian Museum and Trading Post and Col. Doug Allard's Original Buffalo Ranch Cafe, located adjacent to his private buffalo herd. He helped form the first reservation-wide powwow committee, and for several years sponsored the World Champion Stick Game competition.

In addition to the traditional stick games and gaming, participants had a chance to earn up to $5,000 for first place in the drumming contests, and winning dancers earned up to $1,000 in the adult category.

Busy celebration committee chairman Phillip Paul said the event ran smoothly, despite the record number of people in attendance.