Powwow honors graduates, culture at SKC

PABLO, Mont. — More than 200 dancers, including 182 registered competitors, and 10 drums filled the Joe McDonald Health and Wellness Center on May 15-16 to celebrate Salish Kootenai College (SKC) and high school graduates during the annual Graduate and Honoring Powwow.

After the first grand entry on Friday, a graduate honoring took place to showcase SKC and local high school graduates. SKC graduates received a stole and enrolled CSKT high school graduates received an eagle feather from Tribal Education.

When all graduates were on the floor, excited cheers from the crowd and proud family members applauded. The late nights, hard work, and studying paid off. Those graduating with certificates all the way up to graduate degrees were celebrated and recognized for their achievements.

After the honoring, rounds of intertribals and competition dancing were on the agenda. Several vendors selling jewelry, beadwork, ribbon skirts, apparel, coffee, frybread and more was an added bonus.

Outgoing SKC Powwow Ambassador Sarah Cochran sponsored a women's old-style jingle special Friday evening after passing the title to Leniece Trahan. Cedar Hunt of Mission earned first place in the special as the crowd cheered in support.

Gabby Corral Jr. made his debut as an emcee at the powwow and kept the crowd engaged throughout the weekend. Despite it being his first time serving as emcee, organizers said he appeared comfortable behind the microphone.

Head dancers Matthew Sheka and Dominique Sanchez led dancers during grand entries and intertribals while also sponsoring special contests that attracted competitors from throughout the region.

Sheka agreed to serve as head man dancer a little more than a month before the powwow. A champion singer and southern straight dancer, he travels extensively throughout the United States and Canada.

Sheka said he understands the importance of the role and does not take the responsibility lightly. He had not accepted a head man dancer position since 2014, when he served as a head dancer at the Gathering of Nations Powwow. During the SKC powwow, Sheka danced every intertribal, grand entry, grand exit and men's traditional contest.

Fundraising for the special was a challenge while Sheka completed coursework ahead of graduating in June with a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries. He thanked sponsors, friends and family members for their support, along with everyone who purchased 50/50 raffle tickets during the powwow.

Proceeds supported the men's traditional special held Saturday evening. Rocky Boy Agency provided the songs while dancers competed for top honors. Truth Brockie from Fort Belknap Reservation and Caleb Pierre of Polson were selected as the top two finalists and faced off in a final song before Brockie earned first place.

Others who placed in the special included Ike Carpenter in third, Skye Beasley from Fort Hall, Idaho in fourth, and Landon Walks Over Ice and Dillon Pretty On Top receiving additional honors.

Head woman dancer Dominique Sanchez is also on track to graduate in June with an associate degree in business management. She plans to transfer to the University of Montana to pursue a bachelor's degree and continues a family legacy at SKC, where both her mother and grandmother also attended.

A northern cloth traditional dancer, Sanchez sponsored a 15-and-older women's cloth special. Aliesse WhiteGrass of Star School earned first place in the special and also won junior girls traditional.

Organizers are already preparing for next year's powwow and distributed “Save the Date†flyers announcing the event will return May 14-15, 2027. Next year's gathering will also coincide with the college's 50th anniversary celebration.

2026 Salish Kootenai College Powwow Winners

Golden Age Women Fancy & Jingle

2 Sherrie Vogele 

1 Aileen Plant

Golden Age Women Traditional 

4 Maria Bighead

3 Linda Pete

2 Fern Slimjohn

1 Luanne Kickingwoman

Golden Age Men Fancy & Grass

2 Robert Matt

1 Mick Fisher

Golden Age Men Traditional & Chicken

3 Allen Pierre

2 Jerry Shorty

1 Sooney Little Plume

Jr Girls Traditional

3 Bebe Croff

2 Tawny Kickingwoman

1 Aliesse Whitegrass 

Jr Girls Jingle

3 Charlotte Big Hair

2 Ryleah Dick

1 River

Junior Girls Fancy

3 Emma Felsman

2 Kaia Little Owl

1 Tahnee Addison

Junior Boys Traditional

3 Lyrix Sapiel

2 Kannen Belcourt

1 Peter Stasso

Jr Boys Grass & Prairie Chicken

3 Tyrae James

2 Matiya Mendoza

1 Novi Lahr

Jr Boys Fancy

3 Cash Laurel

2 Patrick White

1 Adam Whitegrass

Teen Girls Traditional

3 Jaylen Granados 

2 Zids Arrow White

1 Willena Whitegrass 

Teen Old Style Jingle

3 Jenna Stump

2 Hazeliene Whiteman 

1 Leona Smith

Teen Girls Contemporary Jingle

3 Kaidance Sapiel

2 Kylei Adams

1 Juniper First Strike

Teen Girls Fancy

3 Blue Sky First Strike

2 Bresies Ross

1 Lariah Whitegrass 

Women Traditional

3 Sierra MineSinger

2 Natasha Slimjohn

1 Rae Croff

Teen Boys Prairie Chicken

3 Terrance Spotted Blanket

2 Derek Whitegrass

1 Isiah Weaselhead

Teen Boys Traditional 

3 Zaiden Beasley

2 Michael McCrea

1 Stanley Parker

Teen Boys Grass

3 William Fisher

2 Raymond Mendoza

1 Leland Yellowhorse

Women Old Style Jingle

3 Morgan Shakespeare

2 Laurencia Starblanket

1 Ontaria Arrow White 

Women Contemporary Jingle

3 Cedar Hunt

2 Taeshon Mirage

1 Tailee Kickingwoman

Women Fancy

3 Marianne Addison 

2 Precious David

1 Raina Buffalo

Men Prairie Chicken

3 Rooster Top Sky

2 Tyus Beebe

1 Callan Fox

Men Traditional 

3 Will Mesteth Jr

2 Truth Brockie

1 Ike Carpenter 

Men Grass

3 Isaac Cuts the Rope

2 Kenneth Manzanares

1 Talon Addison

Men Fancy

3 Josh Skunkcap

2 Darius Tewawina

1 Cactus Runsabove