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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2018)
S moke S ignals SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 13 pses 2017’s attendance Photo by Auburn Logan Dine Tribal members Sheldon Shebala, left, and Fernando Littlesinger, right, participate the Contest Powwow’s final grand entry on Sunday, Aug. 19. Photo by Michelle Alaimo shaking hands with other Royalty members. Then, it was interTribal time, where dancers of all ages and styles came together in the arbor. Afterward, an honoring and giveaways were held by the Con- treras-Langley family in memory of Beryle Langley Contreras and Kateri Atanacio, who both passed away recently. Afterward, the “School Is Cool,” dance contest was held for all kin- dergarten through 12th-graders, Following the previous evening’s protocol, the Grand Ronde Honor Guard posted the colors. They were fol- lowed by veterans, Tribal Council members, Royalty from various Tribes and contest dancers. Grand entry took approx- imately 20 minutes to com- plete. Dancers frequently stepped into the crowd to hug friends and family, and some attendees used their phone’s video chat function to live stream the action for those unable to attend. Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George led the invocation, first in Chinuk Wawa and then English. Cree Confederation played the “Canadian Flag Song,” which mas- ter of ceremonies Bart Powaukee said was similar to America’s na- tional anthem. Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier welcomed Saturday contes- tants and attendees. “We’re grateful you are here and want to express our gratitude,” he said. “We’d also like to thank our ancestors. Without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. I would also like to thank our veter- ans for their service and each and Kaleigha Simi competes in the Girls Jingle dance category during the 2018 Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Contest Powwow held at Uyxat Powwow Grounds on Saturday, Aug. 18. Simi placed fifth in the category. whether or not they wore regalia, followed by a junior and teen girls special in all dance categories sponsored by the 2017-18 outgoing Royalty. Saturday grand entry and contest dancing Saturday afternoon’s grand entry attendance filled the arbor stands to capacity, as well as rows of extra chairs and bleachers that had been set up. every one of you who chose to spend your afternoon with us. Our goal is for this powwow to be on your calendar each year.” Mercier also acknowledged past Tribal Council members Reyn Leno, Steve Bobb Sr. and Tonya Gleason-Shepek for their atten- dance, noting that there likely others in the audience he hadn’t seen yet. “This is a chance to reconnect and come together and just be Native,” he said. During grand entry, veterans also were acknowledged and introduced themselves. After interTribal dances were held, the contest portion of the powwow was in full swing. First up were the Tiny Tots, followed by Senior Golden Age Women, Senior Golden Age Men, Junior Golden Age Women and Junior Golden Age Men. Also held were the Junior Girls Finals in Traditional, Jingle and Fancy, followed by Junior Boys, Teen Girls and Teens Boys finals, all in the same categories. Powaukee asked audience mem- bers to stand and recognize the See POWWOW continued on page 14 Photo by Michelle Alaimo Photo by Michelle Alaimo Leevi Johnson competes in the Teen Boys Traditional dance category during the 2018 Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Contest Powwow held at Uyxat Powwow Grounds on Saturday, Aug. 18. Johnson placed fifth in the category. Newly crowned Grand Ronde Royalty are, from left, Little Miss Princess Grace Allen, Little Miss Grand Ronde Sophia Grout, Junior Miss Grand Ronde Kaleigha Simi and Senior Miss Grand Ronde Isabelle Grout. They took their honor dance after being crowned at Uyxat Powwow Grounds on Friday, Aug. 17.
