Charlo powwow is first in years

The sound of Native American drums echoed throughout the small town of Charlo last Saturday at a powwow, the first one the community had seen in years and spearheaded by local seventh grader Josee’ Incashola.

“My daughter, Josee’, wanted to share her culture and show her friends what she lives everyday,” said Nayet Incashola, Indian education chairperson.

Once inspired, the High School Cultural Awareness Club, the Indian Education Parent Committee, both of Charlo, and the Eagle Plume group, of Two Eagle River, went to work to make the event happen.

“For two years we talked about it, worked on it, and finally it came together,” coordinator Ingrid Roberts said. “It turned out to be more than I expected.”

Dancers came from all over the reservation to participate in the powwow that was held at the Charlo school gym. And the Warrior Society opened the ceremony.

“The Warrior Society, people that had been in the military, presented the flags,” Roberts said. “And they were a big part of the powwow.”

Drumming groups took turns throughout the evening to give the dancers the sound they needed to perform the traditional dances.

“There were six drum groups and that is pretty good for a small powwow,” said Aggie Sherwood, coordinator.

Before the dancing and drumming began people lined up for a free dinner of fry bread and soup.

“Two Eagle staff donated a lot of food, and the Education Committee paid for the fry bread and soup. We had five different people make the fry bread,” Sherwood said.

And it took a lot to get everything organized.

“Nayet jumped through hoops to make it happen,” Sherwood said. “It was just a lot of work to get everything to come together. I don’t know if we will do it again next year, but it served its purpose, to show my niece that it can be done.”