United Tribes News www.uttc.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3
AUGUST 2011
More information
701-255-3285 x 1293, serickson@uttc.edu
Powwow feature is South
American group
ONE OF THE TEN BEST POWWOWS IN AMERICA
BISMARCK
(UTN) – Musicians and dancers from Ecuador will appear during the 2011 United
Tribes International Powwow. The group Chayag will perform music of the Andes
and demonstrate the dances of their heritage. The South American visitors are
the featured cultural group of the annual event set for September 8-11, the
weekend after Labor Day, on the campus of United Tribes Technical College.
Chayag’s traditional music flavor will
add to the flourish of North American tribal music and culture during the
contest powwow, now in its 42nd year. Providing the action are
tribal dancers and drum groups who gather in Lone Star Arena, the college’s
dance arbor. Upwards of 1,000 participants compete for over $80,000 in prize
money.
In April, the powwow was listed by USA
TODAY among the top “ten great places to be wowed by American Indian culture.”
Spectators from all backgrounds are welcomed to join the circle – from the
community, around the country and abroad – to share the traditions of one of
North Dakota’s premier cultural events.
A grand entry at the 2010
United Tribes International Powwow
POWWOW SCHEDULE
The powwow begins with the first Grand
Entry at Lone Star Arena, in the center of campus, on Thursday, September 8 at
7 p.m. Subsequent Grand Entries are held Friday and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7
p.m. (Central Time), and Sunday at 12 noon. A $20 entrance fee guarantees
admission to all dance and drum competitions for the four days. Daily admission
is $12. Seniors (65 and over) and children (5 and under) enter free.
Group rates (10 or more) contact Ella Duran 701-255-3285 x 1214, eduran@uttc.edu.
Camping space is available free of
charge on the United Tribes campus, with round-the-clock security and access to
facilities. No drugs or alcohol allowed and no pets.
POWWOW CONTEST
Known as “Home of the Champions,” the
United Tribes International Powwow is the season’s last, large outdoor powwow
on the northern Great Plains circuit. Awards for champion dancers and drum
groups are announced early Sunday evening, September 11, following a free
buffalo meal for all dancers, singers and visitors. First place winners receive
Jackets, gold medals and cash. Second through fifth place winners receive
medals and cash. The first 25 drums are paid; tiny tot dancers earn day money.
POWWOW POSTER
United Tribes is honored to feature
artwork by a well-known and respected member of the college faculty on the 2011
powwow poster. It is a piece titled “Kit Fox Society Warrior” by Wallace
"Butch" Thunder Hawk Jr. The design is a colored-pencil drawing on
ledger paper depicting two figures in traditional regalia facing each other and
flanking an eagle feather. Kit Fox is the name of a Lakota society of men who
served in battle and guarded over the tribe.
Thunder Hawk (Lakota/Dakota) grew up
at Cannonball, ND on Standing Rock. He teaches traditional and contemporary
arts at UTTC and is a recognized scholar on Native American arts and
traditions. He has been with the college for 38 years. The last time a piece of
his artwork was used for the powwow poster was in the early 1980s. The original
“Kit Fox Society Warrior” design is part of the United Tribes collection of American
Indian art.
2011 powwow poster design.
CULTURAL PERFORMERS
Each year the United Tribes
International Powwow hosts and features an indigenous cultural group. For
2011 the group is Chayag, bringing a lively style of music rooted in the
traditions of the Andes Mountains in South America. Chayag (pronounced
CHU-YEG), and meaning “someone who arrives,” is a world music group originally
from Ecuador, now based in Otter Rock, Oregon. For more than 20 years the group
has shared its sound around the world at festivals celebrating peace and
multiculturalism. Their music is played on authentic instruments, including the
ten string lute, Andean drum, Native South American Flutes, and the guitar.
Their entertaining performances include stories of the traditions and culture
of the Andes. The program is appropriate for audiences of all ages. The group’s
music can be easily sampled online.
Chayag performances are scheduled for
9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, September 9 and 10 and a 3:30 p.m. on Sunday,
September 11 in Lone Star Arena. The group will also perform during Youth Day
on Friday morning, September 9 and will appear in the powwow grand entries and
the Parade of Champions.
Chayag’s visit to Bismarck is made
possible by Tesoro Mandan Refinery, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Image
Printing, Advanced Business Methods, Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors
Bureau, Theodore Jamerson Elementary School, United Tribes Tribal Leaders
Summit, and United Tribes Technical College.
Featured cultural
performers.
POWWOW VENDOR FAIR
Positioned in a ring surrounding the
dance arbor, powwow circuit vendors create a lively atmosphere catering to the
needs of tribal artisans and smart shoppers. Everything can be found from hides
and antlers, to beads, finished clothing, bumper and window stickers and powwow
collectibles. A food court offers a wide variety, from oriental and barbeque cuisine
to the ever-popular ‘Indian Taco.’
More
information: Valerie Whitman or Red Koch, 701-255-3285 x 1301, vwhitman@uttc.edu.
MISS INDIAN NATIONS
Young American Indian women who know
their culture are invited to participate in the Miss Indian Nations scholarship
pageant. The event is set for September 7 to 10 during the powwow. The event is
a scholarship program for single, non-parent American Indian women age 17 and
25 who can demonstrate their command of tribal values, customs and teachings.
More
information: Sharon Clairmont , 701-255-3285 x 1499, sclairmont@uttc.edu.
YOUTH DAY
School classes and groups are invited
to Youth Day at the Powwow. The music and cultural event is an entertainment
and learning opportunity. Included are presentations, music, dancing, and a
performance by the powwow’s featured cultural group. Youth Day begins at 9 a.m.
on Friday, September 9 and runs through the morning. School groups are admitted
free of charge.
More
information: Bernadette Dauenhauer, 701-255-3285 x 1514, bdauenhauer@uttc.edu.
PARADE OF CHAMPIONS
The United Tribes “Parade of
Champions,” is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 through downtown Bismarck,
featuring dancers, singers, tribal groups attending the powwow, tribal leaders,
and groups from the community. Cash prizes are awarded in four categories of
judging.
More
information: Michelle R. West, 701-255-3285 x 1355, mfox@uttc.edu.
TRIBAL LEADERS SUMMIT
The fifteenth annual Tribal Leaders
Summit takes place September 7-9 at the Bismarck Civic Center. Tribal,
federal and state officials discuss current Indian Country issues and attend a trade
fair.
More information: Tiffany Hodge, 701-255-3285 x 1482, thodge@uttc.edu
SPORTING EVENTS
Several sporting
events are offered in conjunction with the powwow. A benefit golf tournament,
“Teeing Off for Academic Success,” is set for Friday, September 9 at Apple
Creek Country Club east of Bismarck. A softball tournament for both women and
men takes place Saturday and Sunday, September 10-11. Winning teams earn
jackets and special awards are presented. Three-on-three basketball and a 10K
and 5K run walk are also scheduled.
“Teeing
off for Academic Success” Golf Tournament
More information:
Golf: Brad
Hawk 701-255-3285 x 1387, bhawk@uttc.edu.
Softball:
Debbie Painte: 701-255-3285 x 1232, dpainte@uttc.edu
Basketball: Daryl
Bears Tail, 701-255-3285 x 1391, dbearstail@uttc.edu
Run/Walk: Daryl
Bears Tail, 701-255-3285 x 1391, dbearstail@uttc.edu
FREE BUFFALO FEED
United Tribes
honors you with the cultural tradition of a buffalo feed Sunday, September 11.
All dancers, singers and visitors are invited free of charge. Serving takes
place in the mid-to-late afternoon outside the United Tribes Cafeteria and will
be announced.
HEAD STAFF
Masters of Ceremonies: Ruben
Little Head and Butch
Felix. Arena Director: Anthony
Kills Crow. Head Singing
Judge: Patrick L. Moore.
Head Men’s Dance Judge: Rusty Gillette.
Head Women’s Dance Judge: Willow Abrahamson.
Ground Blessing: Marcel Bull Bear.
POWWOW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
David M. Gipp, College President;
Wallace “Butch” Thunderhawk Jr., Committee Advisor; Tom Red Bird, Cultural
Advisor; Ella Duran, Treasurer; Debbie Painte, Secretary.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the powwow
and associated events contact Sandy Erickson, serickson@uttc.edu,
701-255-3285 x 1293, FAX 701-530-0633, or visit www.uttc.edu.
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