St. Ignatius ends year celebrating community
STUDENTS AND veterans begin the family pow wow in St. Ignatius on Wednesday, May 16. (Photo provided courtesy of Shawn Hendrickson)
TATIANA WELLS, a fifth grader at St. Ignatius Middle School, participates in the district’s pow wow, celebrating the end of the school year. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
MORE THAN 850 people attended the Celebration of Families pow wow Wednesday, May 16 in St. Ignatius. (Photo provided courtesy of Shawn Hendrickson)
TATIANA WELLS, a fifth grader at St. Ignatius Middle School, participates in the district’s pop wow, celebrating the end of the school year. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Keeping in time with the cadence, the sound of jingles filled the St. Ignatius High School gym last week as dozens of girls and young women danced in regalia.
Participating in the Celebration of Families Pow Wow on Wednesday, May 16, the day of dance and prayer also celebrates students’ hard work and parents’ dedication to their children through the year, as well as graduating seniors.
“It’s been a good year. It’s been a good last five years,” St. Ignatius High School Principal Shawn Hendrickson said, reflecting on various accomplishments throughout the district.
Explaining how the pow wow starts, Hendrickson said that “when they (senior students) come in the Grand Entry, they’re led by veterans” and introduce themselves, veterans and tribal elders, Hendrickson said.
Pow wow etiquette and symbolisms are explained to the crowd, which was more than 850 people at this year’s pow wow.
“It’s an opportunity educationally for people who are unfamiliar what this kind of celebration looks like for Native Americans,” Hendrickson said.
The pow wow is open to the public, and students invited people throughout the Flathead Reservation.
“It’s a good way to finish out the year,” Hendrickson said.