"Last year's celebration was the biggest one so far," said North American Indian Days Committee member Donna Yellow Owl. She estimated more than 130 tipis jammed the space near the dance arbor last season, and this year she said there will be even more.
All the tipis will be located near the arbor this year, Yellow Owl said, as last year's parking arrangements will continue to be the rule this year. Under the plan, tipis are located nearest the arbor, along with spaces for elders and handicapped. Although the sight of lodges going up is the surest sign of Indian Days' approach, Yellow Owl asked that this year lodge owners put off setting their stakes until after July 6 so the Tribe's lawnmower can give the campground a once-over before camping begins.
Drum contests this year include both traditional and contemporary categories, with big cash prizes for each, and dance contests this year include traditional, fancy, chicken, buckskin, jingle dress, grass and golden age for men, women and kids of all ages.
Earl Old Person, Chief of the Blackfeet Tribe, is the emcee for the event, assisted by Blackfeet Councilman Jay St. Goddard and Kenny Scabby Robe. The arena directors are Kevin Kicking Woman, Clarence Comes At Night and Lucky Whitegrass. The first Grand Entry is set for 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon, July 7, and by 7 p.m. Thursday evening, the points begin accumulating for dancers as well as drum groups. Northern Cree is the Canadian host drum, and local drum groups will host from this side of the border by request.
This year's Stick Game Tournament is loaded with big cash prizes for first through fourth places. Entry is being handled by Jodi Calf Boss Ribs, treasurer of the NAID Committee. Call her at 338-7103 for more information.
While dancing and dance contests are conducted throughout the celebration, much like a three-ring circus, there's always more going on no matter where a person might be. The NAID Carnival is available throughout the celebration, with famous rides for the kids by Candy Apple Amusement. The NAID Parade is set to be run on Saturday, July 9, starting at 11 a.m. More information on the parade can be obtained by calling Jim McNeely or Vanessa Kipp at 338-7521. Also set for Saturday is the Road Warrior Classic Fun Run, with times and information available from David Old Chief at 338-3925.
Catholic Mass, a longtime NAID tradition, will again be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 10, at the campground arbor with Celebrant Bishop George Thomas. Other denominations will be conducting services the same morning.
Feasting is another NAID tradition, with the Reevis-Webber Family Breakfast set for 7 to 10 a.m. Friday, July 8, at the campground arbor, and the Gobert Family Breakfast slated for 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the campground arbor. Rations, said Yellow Owl, will be distributed on Friday and Saturday only, with the first 100 people being served. A ration card is required to take part, and they are available from NAID Committee member Wanda Glaze.
Dance specials this year include the Earl Old Person Dance Special with prizes for the first three places and seven consolation prizes in the men's old style Chicken Dance. Alannah Blackgoat, last year's princess, is sponsoring a Grandmother, Mother and Daughter Traditional Dance Special, and other specials are planned in the Tiny Tot, Jr. Girls, Women's Fancy, Golden Age, Men's Grass and Men's Traditional categories.
Finally, just to warm things up, on the Wednesday before NAID officially gets underway, Councilwoman Betty Cooper is sponsoring a Youth Day at All Chiefs Park in Browning. For more information about that event, contact Cooper at 338-7521.
The NAID Committee includes Chairman Wanda Glaze, Vice Chairman Tony Sinclair, Treasurers Jodi Calf Boss Ribs and Donna Yellow Owl, Secretary Vanessa Kipp, John Running Rabbit, Jim McNeely, Lucky Whitegrass, Clarence Comes At Night, Terri Jo Calf Boss Ribs, Heather Gobert, John Iron Shirt, Thomas Big Spring and Kevin Kicking Woman. The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council includes Interim Chair Pat Thomas, Secretary Fred Guardipee, Jay St. Goddard, Jim St. Goddard, Hugh Monroe, Betty Cooper, Pat Schildt, Allen Talks About and Earl Old Person.
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