Tahnee Addison (left) and Peter Stasso (right) pose for photos between performances at the CSKT Bison Range Visitor Center on June 11. Both are champion dancers in their respective age groups and the performances are a way for both to practice their moves between powwows.
MOIESE, Mont. — Visitors to the CSKT Bison Range can now experience more than wildlife and scenic views.
This summer, the Big Medicine Dance Troupe is bringing songs, dances and cultural teachings of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes to visitors from across the country and around the world through interactive performances at the Bison Range visitor center pavilion.
The opportunity began months earlier when Jordan Stasso presented the idea to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Tribal Council.
On March 3, Tribal Council reviewed a proposal from Stasso regarding the Big Medicine Dance Troupe providing cultural performances during tourism season. Council members expressed support for the concept.
“They liked the idea. They said it was a breath of fresh air because nobody else came forward to ask if they could do any kind of tourism stuff yet here on the rez so they gave their full support,†Stasso said.
The idea of creating a dance troupe had been years in the making.
Stasso said he first recognized a demand for cultural performances outside of powwows after he and other dancers were invited to perform in Whitefish for the Montana Trial Lawyers Association. During the event, one of the dancers placed a tip jar near the performance area, and audience members showed their appreciation through donations.
Darius Tewawina is a men’s fancy war dancer “showstopper” who performed for visitors at the CSKT Bison Range on June 11.
The experience, along with requests to sing and dance at events outside of powwows, convinced Stasso there was an audience interested in cultural performances.
When CSKT regained ownership and management of the Bison Range, he saw an opportunity to bring those performances to one of western Montana's most iconic destinations.
“I talked to the staff and they were open to the idea,†Stasso said. “It was just up to me to approach Council and ask for permission to be able to come out here and do dance performances.â€
After discussions with the Tribal Natural Resources Department regarding permits, fees and logistics, the troupe made its debut June 10 at the Bison Range picnic day-use area.
The first performance drew a modest crowd of three visitors, including one tourist from France.
On the troupe's opening day, performers danced and sang “for the people,†a common powwow expression meaning no money was earned.
The following day brought larger audiences after Bison Range staff promoted the performances on social media. The troupe performed two shows for students attending the nearby Dixon summer school program and for visitors from California, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.
The Big Medicine Dance Troupe is made up of tribal members, descendants, members of other tribes or spouses of tribal members with deep connections to the tribes who offer performances featuring world champion singers and dancers.
Building the troupe proved challenging. Stasso said many dancers and singers were reluctant to commit to weekday performances without guaranteed compensation. Performers are not paid by the Bison Range and rely entirely on tips from visitors.
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Among the youngest performers are dancers who recently completed fourth grade and have been dancing since they could walk.
Peter Stasso opened one performance with an energetic men's traditional dance exhibition. He also serves as the Veterans Honoring and Powwow Warrior representative for the annual Veterans Honoring Powwow held each November.
Tahnee Addison followed with a fancy shawl demonstration. She was also among the dancers who performed alongside Stasso years earlier in Whitefish when she was still a toddler. Both young dancers regularly compete on the powwow circuit and won many competitions in recent years.
Jordan Stasso serves as both emcee and singer during the performances, engaging visitors by asking where they are from and what brought them to the Bison Range. He shares information about the dancers, explains different dance styles and answers questions about regalia, traditions and cultural origins.
Humor is woven throughout the presentations, helping visitors feel comfortable and encouraging interaction.
Providing the music are Walden Tewawina and his sons Trey, Troy and Darius, along with Jordan Stasso, Talon Addison, and Thomas Addison. Some performers contribute as both singers and dancers.
Visitor center staff said visitation increased significantly after Mother's Day weekend. Throughout the summer, thousands of travelers pass through the Bison Range while visiting Glacier and Yellowstone national parks.
For Stasso, the troupe is about more than providing entertainment for tourists.
He named the group after the Big Medicine Singers, an Indian Youth Club from the Dixon Agency that included his mother as a member. A May 15, 1976, Char-Koosta News article reported the group consisted of youth ages 11 to 14 who traveled around to powwows and other events to sing and dance.
The name also carries special significance because of its connection to the Bison Range and nearby Dixon Agency community.
“I wanted to breathe some new life back into it and keep it going for the future generations,†Stasso said.
Plans to offer singing and dancing performances after the tourism season are also a possibility. For now, the Big Medicine Dance Troupe is set to perform during the week as dancers and singers are on the powwow trail most weekends.
Catch the show, stop by, visit, laugh and vibe with the Big Medicine Dance Troupe Tuesday through Thursday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. weather permitting. Depending on weather conditions, the shows will take place at the pavilion behind the Visitor Center or in the picnic/day use area.
For more information regarding bookings for events or upcoming performances at the Bison Range, contact Jordan Stasso at (406) 529-5244.
