Arlee celebration was hot, hot, hot

By Maggie Plummer

Nine-year-old Savannah Koskela, right, of Eureka, California, and her five-year-old brother Derrik “Mister” Gibis beat the searing heat at last week's 109th Annual Arlee Celebration by splashing around in the creek. (Maggie Plummer photo)

As last week's blistering temperatures broke records around western Montana, it was a hot time at the 109th annual Arlee Celebration.

On Thursday afternoon, about the only thing moving was a hot breeze blowing through the powwow grounds - except for youngsters having water fights in the cool little creek that runs by the camp.

Also, one entertaining camper kept hosing off his head with cold water, then shaking like a dog.

That day, the afternoon dancing was cancelled because of the heat. No stick game was going on either.

It had to be the quietest afternoon in the 109-year history of the celebration.

Some people sat in the shade of the stick game pavilion, sipping from water bottles or licking ice cream cones and quietly wondering where the action was.

The lucky campers had shady spots across the little creek from the dance pavilion, in the relatively comfortable, breezy shade of the cottonwood trees. Everywhere else you probably could have fried eggs right on the dirt.

It seemed like this year's Arlee celebration became a nocturnal event due to the extreme heat. As the relentlessly blazing sun sank behind the western mountains, people emerged and came alive.

Then it was "game on" into the cool wee hours of the morning.

Some of the best powwow visiting (and flirting and snagging) happens in the camp, which many consider the absolute heart of the powwow.

For many, powwows are all about renewing old friendships and making new connections.

Whole families of singers, drummers, dancers, artists, craftspeople, and concession operators hit the powwow trail every year, traveling across the country - and sometimes around the continent - enjoying powwow culture.

That culture is constantly changing. Powwow committees try to keep traditions intact but at the same time integrate new ways, making for a vibrant celebration.

On Thursday afternoon, most Arlee powwow campers were hunkered down in whatever makeshift shade they could create with tarps and blankets, taking siestas and drinking tons of cold water to cope with the heat.

John Denton was one of the lucky ones: he had a wonderful camp spot next to the creek, under the cottonwood leaves that were dancing in the breeze. He said there was no big trick to getting that fine spot. It's just a matter of marking out your place with poles, according to him.

But then again John works at the annual powwow, maintaining the restrooms.

These unused teepee poles at the Arlee Powwow seemed to symbolize a camp trend toward more RVs and tents. (Maggie Plummer photo)

He and others notice that there are fewer and fewer teepees in the camp, but more and more tents and RVs.

Making the rounds of the camp, the big rack full of leftover, unused teepee poles loomed like a symbol of that trend.

Camping here is still really good, people said. But one woman added that at the powwows these days there are more kids running around unattended.

Just like everything else, powwow culture shifts with the times. Espresso stands and fresh-squeezed lemonade have become favorite concessions in recent years.

What ever happened to all those neat woven powwow chairs that people used to make and use, with their names woven into the colorful pattern? Now everyone brings a chair-in-a-bag, and some write their names on the back of them.

Here's another sign of the times: this year, among the many food concessions was a first - an ATM machine.

Just outside the dance pavilion was a powwow DVD booth, wired and equipped with televisions showing DVD footage of Traditional, Fancy, Grass and Jingle dancers.

People say that in the old days they could tell where others were from by just checking out the unique tribal styles of their moccasins and outfits. These days it's become much more difficult to tell, they say, due to flashy new "bling" styles and bright-colored fabrics and yarns.

Through the years one of the biggest contributors to change in powwow culture has been the vehicle. As it's become easier and easier for people to come and go from the celebration, traditions have adjusted accordingly.

One of the most positive trends is that for many years now, drugs and alcohol have been banned from the powwow grounds.

On the 4th of July, War Dance Chief Octave Finley, 78, was honored for 39 years of sobriety. The Sober Indian Riders presented him with an official black leather vest and a lifetime membership.

Octave, a spiritual leader and war dance chief, is a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, and of a war with his own alcoholism - which began when he was 14.

Even with ongoing changes, contemporary powwows remain rooted in deep-seated Native American values - honor, respect, tradition, and generosity.

As hot as it was last Thursday, more and more people kept arriving and setting up their camps.

Like the old Sonny and Cher song says:

"And the beat goes on..."

Has there ever been an ATM (automatic teller machine) at a local powwow before? We don't think so. It's another sign of the ever-changing times... (Maggie Plummer photo)