First People’s Powwow Held Friday

Imminently following the WYO Parade on Friday, July 12, the First People’s Powwow was held on the lawn of the Historic Sheridan Inn. Many of the dancers were in the parade, and gave parade goers a preview of the dancing.

This year’s powwow was one of the largest held in Sheridan, and a good crowd attended to watch the colorful event.

Dancers in full regalia, including elk ivory dresses, bells, and full head dresses, performed traditional dances for the crowd. Traditionally, the elk ivory dresses were worn by women as a symbol of their husband’s hunting skills, and his ability to provide for his family.

The First People’s Powwow in Sheridan is now 24 years old. Jellis, one of the originators of the event, explains how the powwows first came about.

He added the Powwow has been held at the Sheridan Inn for probably the past ten years.

He talked about the Crow People, and traditional dress that they wore during the dancing.

One of those attending the Powwow was Sicily Glenn.

The WYO Rodeo Royalty attended the powwow as well. Mercy Maestri the reigning 2024 Sheridan WYO Rodeo Queen, had this to say about the event.

There was traditional drumming and chanting with the dances, and a flute solo was also performed. Leonard Bends, of the Crow Tribe, was MC for the event. Before the dancing begin, Bends and Jellis performed the Crow smudging ceremony and offered a prayer for the dancers and those who were attending.

Jellis thanked several entities who supported the powwow this year.

Everyone is invited to the Crow Fair, “Teepee Capital of the World” August 16-18 at Crow Agency, Montana. There are parades, traditional dancers, drums, rodeos and horse races are among the events at the fair.