History, family celebrated during annual Arlee Powwow
BOBBIE ORR stands just moments after Grand Entry at Arlee's Celebration. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
GIRLS DANCE at the annual Arlee Celebration on Friday, July 6. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
PARTICIPANTS OF THE Arlee Celebration stand moments after the Grand Entry Friday, July 6. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
VETERANS STAND in front of the royal court at the Arlee Celebration moments after Grand Entry. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
BOBBIE ORR wears regalia at the Arlee powwow. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Summer heat was no match for the crowds at the annual Arlee Pow Wow last week, as dozens of people dressed in their regalia.
Sitting off to the side in the shade, her eyes closed as she listened to the beating drums was Bobbie Orr of Polson.
Wearing a buckskin ensemble, Orr explained that the design made out of colorful tiny beads was emulated after her grandmother’s wedding dress.
Orr began working on the design in 1991, the same year she began attending the celebration.
“I’ve kind of been working on it, and working on it,” Orr said.
She explained that the design can only be worn by her or a member of her family.
Orr is Salish, P’endereille and Kootenai heritage, she said.
Getting ready for the annual event, Orr said she camps at the pow wow grounds as she prepares daily.
This year, family members from around the country attended the pow wow along with Orr.
The 66-year-old noted she’s of the Golden Age category, taking second place last year in a competition. This year, however, Golden Age attendees didn’t have to compete.
Held July 3-8 this year, the Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni (Celebration) saw its 121st year.
Tribal families, community members and tourists walked rows of vendors to then sit in the shade of the pavilion of the pow wow grounds. Girls kept time with the drums as they danced in their jingle dresses, while men danced with layers of feathers and hide, bells at their feet, making up their regalia.
According to arleepowwow.com, attempts of a July Fourth powwow date back to 1891, although traditional Indian dances were illegal under rules established by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The threat of United States Army intervention to break up the dance was made.
The BIA found it was difficult to argue that the Fourth of July celebration should be illegal, though supression of traditional dances forced tribes to hold them in secret.
Due to the persecution, it cannot be established with certainty when the first Fourth of July Powwow was held.