2019 Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni (Celebration)
Celebrate the 121st Annual Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni (Celebration) on July 3-7, 2019 at the Arlee Powwow Grounds in Arlee, Montana. The Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni is the premier annual celebration of the Salish and Pend d’Oreille tribes, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Nation. Please join us at the Arlee Powwow for traditional dance competitions, singing and drumming and a big July 4 parade.. There are also many vendors with hand made beaded crafts and food booths, which include a variety of Indian Tacos for sale.
Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni (Celebration)
The Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni is a historic event as organized to carry on the traditional ways of the generations that came before us. It was they who decided that if the Esyapqeyni was called a Fourth of July celebration, we could carry on our traditional ways without the threat of army intervention and persecution. As a result, the Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni has become the longest running tribal celebration.
The first Grand Entry will occur on Friday afternoon. The first competition Grand Entry will be Friday evening at 7:00 pm. Other Grand Entries are on Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
The powwow grounds are located just east of Arlee, Montana. Arlee is about 20 miles north of Missoula on Highway 93. signs from the road will help guide you in. The powwow officially begins on Friday, with “Camper’s Day” being Wednesday, and Thursday reserved for the Memorial Procession.
Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni Mini-Gallery
Arlee Powwow Schedule ***Subject to change***
Tuesday
Camp Day
Wednesday
5:00pm Memorial Feed
7:00pm Memorial (no gambling until after memorial)
Material Wagers Stickgame
Thursday
2:00pm Snake Dance
Veterans Honoring
Old Style Day – all drums welcome
Friday
2:00pm First Grand Entry
Contests in all categories
Break at 5:30pm
7:00pm Second Grand Entry
Contests continue
11:00pm Registration closes for Dance and Singing Contests
Saturday
2:00pm Third Grand Entry
Contests continue
Break at 5:30pm
7:00pm Fourth Grand Entry
Contests continue
Sunday
2:00pm
Fifth Grand Entry
Finals
Goes until winners announced (no dinner break)
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Arlee Powwow Dance Contest Rules”]
* All dancers must register in person – NO EXCEPTIONS!
* Contestants must register in only one category.
* Dancers who register are the only person to use that number.
* Use of alcohol or drugs will result in automatic disqualification.
* Points begin for all dance contestants on Friday, July 1, 2016 at 7:00 PM.
* Dance registration officially closes immediately at 11:59 PM on Friday, July 1, 2016.
* Contestants will be judged on a point system.
-Dancers must dance in all Grand Entries.
-Dancers must have full regalia in Grand Entry.
* Dropped eagle feathers will be attended to according to our Salish & Pend d’Oreille traditions. Click here for more info.
* Judges who have relatives dancing in a contest must disqualify themselves.
* No Whistling – Contestants who whistle drums will lose points for the day. Click here for more info.
* No Smoking on the carpet in the arena.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Non-Contest Drum Rules”]
* All singing groups must register in person.
* Five (5) starts for Inter-Tribal songs, unless notified otherwise.
* Four (4) starts for contest songs, unless notified otherwise.
* NO intoxicated singers at the drum.
* Must make drum roll call to receive day pay.
* Must have at least five (5) singers per registered drum.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Drum Contest Rules”]
* All singing groups must register in person.
* Singing groups will be judged on a point system.
* Five (5) starts for Inter-Tribal songs unless notified otherwise.
* Four (4) starts for contest songs, unless notified otherwise.
* NO intoxicated singers at the drum.
* No limit on the number of singers.
* No drum hopping between contest singing groups.
* No drum roll call points, although contest drum will be required to sing grand entry songs.
* All singers will be accounted for during judged songs.
* No singing while other groups are singing.
* Any additional changes to the Arlee Powwow rules will be provided.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
[su_accordion][su_spoiler title=”Camping Rules”]
The following rules and regulations are meant to maintain a clean and safe environment for all campers and visitors at the Arlee Powwow. Please be respectful to your neighbors to ensure a safe and enjoyable celebration.
* No alcohol or drugs permitted.
* No fireworks permitted.
* No motorbikes.
* Garbage bags will be furnished each day to campers. Dumpsters will be located in convenient areas near your camp for daily garbage disposal.
* Speed limit on grounds is 5 miles per hour — signs are posted.
* Please return all teepee poles to racks when you break camp.
* Please do not cut teepee poles for firewood or support poles.
* Park in designated areas only; fire lanes must be maintained.
* All dogs MUST be on a leash.[/su_spoiler][/su_accordion]
Location:
Arlee Powwow Grounds
Arlee, MT 59821
(406) 726-3253
Directions: The powwow grounds are located just east of Arlee, Montana. Arlee is about 20 miles north of Missoula on Highway 93. Signs from the highway will help guide you in.
For More Information
David Durgeloh Jr., Chairman (406) 830-5073; email shoopdee@yahoo.com
Gene Sorrell, Treasurer (406) 261-5523
Anna Whiting Sorrell, Secretary
Justin Benn, Vendors and Concessions (406) 214-7309 bustin.d.benn@gmail.com
Ruth Swaney, Contest Registration and Tabulations (406) 531-4316 ruthswaney@icloud.com
Crystal Reese, Advertising – crystal.reese@cskt.org
The Arlee Celebration Committee is not responsible for accidents, thefts, injuries, or short-funded travelers.
Arlee Celebration Committee
The Arlee Esyapqeyni Celebration is organized by a committee of volunteers. While the CSKT provide a portion of the funding, the Arlee Celebration Committee is responsible to raise the majority of the funds and oversee the Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni. If you are interested in voluteering time or money to help the Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni, use the contact information displayed under “Organization” on this page.
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Arlee Powwow Esyapqeyni (Celebration) at the Arlee Powwow Grounds in Arlee, MT.
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