Dancers, drummers converge for Arlee Celebration
The grand entry on Friday night, July 4, began with a snake dance and dancers gathering outside. They lined up Salish first -- men, then women -- and danced in a serpentine into the dance arbor. (Bel Tiskus/Leader)
Tiny tot jingle dancers wait patiently for treats and cash after the tiny tots performance. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
Junior girls jingle dancers make their jingles dance and tinkle. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
War Dance Chief Stephen Small Salmon carried Mitch Small Salmon's eagle feather and staff as he lead the snake dancers out of the arbor at the Arlee Celebration. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
A junior boy dancer at the Arlee Celebration is ready to dance. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
Dancers, drummers, singers and stick game players and their families have enjoyed the Arlee Celebration for 125 years, along with community members and, increasingly, visitors from all over the world. This year’s powwow, held June 30-July 6 at the powwow grounds south of town, was no different.
About 70 vendors offering everything from fresh squeezed lemonade to high-end Navajo silver concho belts filled the powwow grounds.
This year’s event attracted 28 drums — 18 non-contesting drums and nine contest drums.
“That’s the most we’ve had in a contest in a while,” said Quennel Matt, who coordinates the drum contest for the Arlee Celebration. “We usually get five or six, so nine was great.”
The drums need to seated 15 minutes before the grand entry for roll call, Matt explained. Each drum plays one verse of a song when their name is called, and the judges count to make sure all drum members are present.
This year, Southern Crescent was top drum, second was Black Lodge, and third was Wild Rose. They took home bragging rights and cash prizes.
To keep those drums busy, about 580 registered dancers came to the celebration. Their dance outfits are beautifully made, many beaded, fringed, feathered or jingle-laden. They add Native American culture, color, and interest to the festivities.
The camp sites were filled with tipis, campers, tents and motor homes.
War Dance Chief Stephen Small Salmon led the grand entries, carrying Mitch Small Salmon’s eagle feather staff. Head woman dancer was Marianne Addison, and head man dancer was Ridge Vanderburg.
Representing the Arlee Celebration and the Salish people are Miss Salish 2024-25 Ellannah Flat Lip, and Little Miss Salish/Pend’Oreille Melody “Sissy” Waskahat.
Now the dancers, drummers, singers and visitors have gone home, and the powwow grounds are being tidied up “so I can shut the gates on Wednesday,” Matt said.
“We got a lot of compliments on the powwow,” he said, adding that it touched many people.
Tiny tot jingle dancers wait patiently for treats and cash after the tiny tots performance. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
Junior girls jingle dancers make their jingles dance and tinkle. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
War Dance Chief Stephen Small Salmon carried Mitch Small Salmon's eagle feather and staff as he lead the snake dancers out of the arbor at the Arlee Celebration. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
A junior boy dancer at the Arlee Celebration is ready to dance. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)