S moke S ignals
AUGUST 15, 2017
7
Contest Powwow occurring in shadow of total eclipse
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
A noon grand entry at Contest
Powwow on Sunday, Aug. 20?
Yes, that is not a typo in the
Smoke Signals ad.
Powwow Special Event Board
Chair Dana Ainam said the usual
1 p.m. grand entry on the third
day of Contest Powwow has been
moved up an hour to help travelers
get on the road as soon as possible
considering the next morning is
the total solar eclipse over Grand
Ronde and traffic on Highway 18
could be congested.
And that’s not the only change.
Adult dance categories have been
split in half with an 18- to 35-year-
old category and a 36- to 50-year-
old category. Golden Age remains
older than 50.
“Tribal Council supported addi-
tional funding to increase opportu-
nities to attract participants to our
event,” Ainam said. “Many pow-
wows have moved to a junior adult
and senior adult so 28 year olds
are not competing against 49 year
olds. As you are aware, last year
our event was heavily impacted by
competing powwows in our region.”
Last year’s Contest Powwow
drew 171 dancers, down from the
usually more than 200 who regu-
larly attend.
The new dance categories in-
crease the total prize money in
all the dance categories to almost
$50,000. The numerous dance con-
tests will feature first-place prizes
If you go
Grand Ronde
Contest Powwow
When: Grand entries are at 7
p.m. Friday, Aug. 18; 1 and 7
p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19; and
noon Sunday, Aug. 20
Where: Uyxat Powwow
Grounds, 9600 Highway 22
(Hebo Road)
Parking: $1 a day or a
donation of canned food; $3
for a weekend pass
More information: 503-879-
2037
Smoke Signals file photo
from $1,000 to $150 depending on
age categories.
Other than that, the Contest
Powwow is business as usual. Oth-
er grand entries are scheduled for
7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 18, and 1 and
7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19.
Head staff will include master of
ceremonies Casey Wallahee, arena
director Fred Ike Jr., head dance
judge Charlie Tailfeathers, head
drum judge Chase Sayer and host
drum Blackstone.
Specials will include a men’s
fancy sponsored by the Native
Wellness Institute of Gresham
with a $1,000 first-place prize, a
School Is Cool dance sponsored by
the Tribal Education Committee,
a Round Bustle/Chicken dance
with an $800 first-place prize and
a Women’s Basket Cap dance with
Dancers participate in a Grand Entry during the 2016 Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde Contest Powwow held at Uyxat Powwow Grounds. This year’s
Contest Powwow will be held Friday through Sunday, Aug. 18-20.
an $800 first-place prize.
The Drum Contest will award
$20,000 total with first-place drum
winning $8,000.
Camping will be available at
Uyxat Powwow Ground for $5 with
parking. Daily parking will be $1
or a canned food donation, and
weekend parking passes will be $3.
Campers will be allowed to stay
overnight on Sunday to view the
eclipse on Monday morning and
help prevent congestion on local
roadways. However, no new camp-
ers will be allowed at the powwow
grounds after Saturday.
A shuttle will be available from
Spirit Mountain Casino to the
powwow grounds. To inquire about
room availability, contact the casi-
no at 800-760-7977.
In addition, the Tribe’s Recreation
Department will continue its Native
Youth 3-on-3 Basketball Tourna-
ment for co-ed teams of youth in
middle school or high school. Teams
are limited to four members.
All teams must have a coach who
is 18 or older. There will be a three-
point contest and prizes for first,
second and third place.
Team registration was required
by Friday, Aug. 11.
Per cultural practice, no drugs,
alcohol or firearms are allowed
at the event and displaying gang
affiliation is not permitted at the
Contest Powwow.
Ad created by George Valdez