Elders Week powwow celebrates elders, culture and community

PABLO, Mont. — Students, teachers, staff, families and visitors from as far away as Mandaree, North Dakota, gathered at Two Eagle River School to celebrate the end of the school year and Elders' Week with a social powwow.

A grand entry featuring veterans, two Kootenai warriors, dancers, students, staff and alumni filled the floor as families filled the gym in celebration. Allen Pierre offered a prayer and shared words with the crowd.

Pierre, a Two Eagle alumnus, attended the powwow despite the recent loss of a family member. Although grieving, he said it was important for him to dance for his younger brother before attending services later that evening.

“Your self-identity as Salish, Kootenai, Qlispe … you're going to see that you come from very strong people and again I want to give thanks to the school for continuing the language and culture,†Pierre said.

Behind the scenes, staff member Arlene Adams helped organize the powwow alongside students. Mike Kenmille served as emcee and mic man while AJ McDonald worked as arena director.

Chief Cliff Singers served as the host drum, and five drums provided music throughout the evening. Little Mountain Cree traveled from Rocky Boy through difficult weather conditions to sing at the event.

A highlight of the powwow was an all-ages, all-male dance special sponsored in honor of eighth-grade student Alyias Holds the Enemy. His family invited The Warriors drum group from Mandaree, North Dakota, to support the special.

“When I walked in the gym and seen them, I was kind of blown away and happy,†said his father, Acorn Holds the Enemy.

Acorn Holds the Enemy and Brandee Mays traveled from the Crow Reservation to celebrate Alyias' promotion. Before moving to Pablo, Alyias lived on the Crow and Fort Berthold reservations and dealt with health issues that prevented him from participating in sports or eating certain foods.

Since returning home, he has recovered and now participates in sports and dancing. His baseball team recently won a league championship. His family said the dance special was meant to honor his perseverance and accomplishments.

After the judges deliberated, Darius Tewawina earned first place in the special. Will Mesteth Jr. and Matiya Mendoza received consolation prizes.

Two Eagle staff and elders also hosted a special for high school students from any school. Three boys and three girls received cash prizes, and organizers said they hope to continue the special annually. Ray Mendoza and Bresies Ross earned first-place honors.

Along with the specials, the powwow included social dancing, exhibitions and a large community giveaway. Every dancer who participated received a gift, but organizers said the giveaway remained the heart of the event.

“Just know that the quilts and the pillows and the necklaces and drums are made by everybody here,†Claudette Bird told the crowd.

Students spent months preparing handmade gifts for the giveaway, including dry meat, necklaces, hand drums, beaded items, star quilts, pillows, medicine pouches and jars of cedar gathered by students. Household goods and handmade items were distributed during an intertribal, and dancers left carrying gifts in their arms.

The celebration also reflected on the long history of Elders' Week. According to Clarice King, the first Elders' Week gathering was a campout along the Flathead River. Activities included beading demonstrations, informal discussions with elders, bitterroot digging, a powwow and a giveaway.

A May 1, 1981, Char-Koosta News article described the first gathering as so successful that organizers immediately hoped to make it an annual tradition.

Over the next 27 years, Elders' Week was held at locations throughout the Flathead Reservation, including Valley Creek, a campsite north of Sloan's Bridge, Blue Bay, Elmo, Dixon and Pablo.

In 2014, then-Tribal Council representative and Two Eagle board member Shelly Fyant spoke about efforts to revive the tradition during the school's 40th anniversary year.

“Elders' Week used to be a way of honoring elders who have helped teach at the school,†Fyant said in a Char-Koosta News story published that year.

After a seven-year hiatus, Elders' Week returned annually from 2015 through 2020 before the pandemic interrupted gatherings. The powwow returned in 2022 and Elders' Week resumed in 2023.

Since 1981, Elders' Week and the powwow have been celebrated during 36 of the past 45 years. Organizers said the goal remains creating meaningful connections between students, elders and the community through meals, games, cultural activities and shared traditions.