Wadopana Traditional Celebration Held Aug. 7-9

Attendance was steady at this year’s Wadopana Traditional Celebration in Wolf Point Aug. 7-9, despite competing celebrations in Hays and New Town, N.D. Wadopana is the only traditional powwow in the region.

A camping day was held Thursday, Aug. 6. Grand entries, specials and honorings were held Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Temperatures stayed a little below average for most of the weekend and a moderate breeze helped compensate for the prevalence of wildfire smoke in the air. Buck Turcotte and his family were set up to sell food and said business was good despite moderate attendance. “At 6 p.m. Friday, I was like, oh no,” Turcotte said, “but then a powwow broke out.”

Western Native Voice volunteers were at the celebration Friday to register voters in anticipation of midterm elections in November. A social media post from the organization reported more than 50 new tribal members registered at the event.

Royalty for the event included head man dancer Cody Eagleman, head woman dancer Imogene Lilley, princess Ryan Smith and junior princess Rosebud Smith, Justin White was arena director. Patrick Ricker served as announcer. Drum crews included Battle Crew, Tule Creek and the Wild Boys.

A candlelight vigil was held Friday. Run/walk events were held in coordination with the celebration Saturday and Sunday,