Anniversary powwow held for Arlee couple’s 63-year marriage

By Lailani Upham

CSKT Ronan District Council Member Carole Lankford, gives Delma and Victor Matt Pendleton blankets on behalf of the CSKT Tribal Council. (from left to right) Delma Matt, Victor Matt, Billy Matt (nephew), Winona Arlee (Victor Matt’s sister), and Carole Lankford. (Lailani Upham photo)

ARLEE — Over sixty years ago Victor Matt returned from the service during World War II and his eye was snagged by a beautiful young Salish gal named Miss Delma Gebeau at the Arlee powwow. From that time on fate for both Victor and Delma was deemed forever love.

Not much time passed after their initial “snagging” at the powwow and Victor took Delma’s hand in marriage on October 19, 1946 in Hamilton.

Victor was born to Ellen Lamoose and James Matt who were both Salish. Victor was raised on a ranch on the Flathead Reservation and went on to join the U.S. Marines at the ripe age of 17.

Velma was born of Salish mother, Katherine McClure, and Canadian Cree father, Robert Gebeau, and raised in Arlee.

On October 24 and 25 the Matt couple celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary just yards from the grounds where they met, with a surprise powwow of their own for their wedding anniversary, by none other than their own children and grandchildren serving as the powwow committee.

The drumbeat compelled dancers into the Community Center during grand entry. Up to a 400 dancers took part in the Anniversary celebration. (Lailani Upham)

The “Giving Back to the Circle Anniversary Powwow” was held at the Community Center.

The couple raised all their five children; Ronald Matt, James “Bing” Matt, Patricia Matt Young Running Crane, Roberta Kay Matt Decker and Arlene Matt Dusty Bull, in Arlee. All children graduated from Arlee High School.

According to son, Bing Matt, a year ago the kids got together and decided to put together a powwow anniversary celebration to honor of their parents. The location? Right smack in the heart of Flathead’s powwow headquarters, Arlee, Montana.

It was a “big surprise,” said Victor Matt about the powwow that was held in he and his wife’s honor.

However, it being a huge surprise, Matt admitted seeing a poster that his son Bing brought home one day just months ago. The kids tried to keep it a secret but parents always seem to know what their kids are up to, no matter what age they are.

“We can’t thank them enough for doing this for us,” said Delma. “We want to thank all the people that came and the Tribal Council for their gifts,” she added.

War Dance Chief Octave Finley greets and pays respect to Victor Matt after the early Saturday afternoon grand entry. (Lailani Upham photo)

Extended family and friends and usually powwow goers traveled from Idaho, Washington, Canada and all the way down from Arizona to join in the marriage celebration.

“Our family is very fortunate to still have our father and mother with us and it was an honor to be able to celebrate their 63rd Wedding Anniversary with them, by giving back to the circle,” said daughter Roberta Decker.

The Matt’s have 16 grandchildren and 45 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Delma and Victor still live in the same house that all five kids were reared in.

If you ask the couple what the secret to a long-lasting, fulfilling marriage, Mr. Matt will say, “just luck, I guess,” with a warm snickering smile.

Men’s Traditional Dancer, Colby White of Cusick, Washington, dances strong and proud as he passes by the Matt couple during the evening Men’s Northern Traditional Special. (Lailani Upham photo)

Although it takes Mr. Matt extra time to get around the house because of breathing difficulties the couple still takes time out for each other and makes a weekly trip to the Missoula mall, according to Mrs. Matt. “We get eat something and it’s something to do to get out of the house,” she said.

According to the family powwow committee, the planning took a year of fundraising and putting all the things in place to organize the event. “I was proud of all the grandchildren and great grandchildren that helped with everything,” said daughter Arlene Dusty Bull.

The family reached their goals and put on a successful powwow celebration for their parents and grandparents, Velma and Victor.

(From left to right) Rawhide Singers Paul Wendy Old Chief, Kenneth Old Person and Earl Old Person from Browning sing a honor song for the Troylin and Treylin’s name giving ceremony. The song originated from Star School and the Pikuni Society began to use it to honor the veterans returning from World War II. Earl Old Person addressed the crowd and said, the song was also sung by the boys’ great-great grandfather when his sons were returning from the war. (Lailani Upham photo)

The committee was pleased in the fundraising efforts that allowed day pay to go to 11 drums, when originally only six drums were to be paid.

Black Lodge singers, of White Swan, Washington were host drum for the event.

Master of Ceremonies was Earl Old Person from Browning, and Francis Cullooyah. of Usk Washington.

Arena Directors were Loren Young Running Crane and Quennell Matt.

A special to honor the Head Man Dancer, Richard Walks Over Ice and Head Woman Dancer, Amber Walks over Ice who is also a grand daughter of the Matt couple.

Traditional Dancer Darcey Anaquod of Saskatoon, Canada dances with Shanto Pete (left) and Shawn Decker (right) behind him during the Men’s Traditional catergory;. (Lailani Upham photo)

A name giving ceremony was initiated for the great grandchildren Treylin and Troylin Tewawina. Earl Old Person, Blackfeet elder rendered the ceremony.

The entire Matt family expresses deep appreciation to all the drums, dancers, and people that came out to help them celebrate.

Mrs. Delma Matt added, “We are really grateful for our family putting this on. It’s a beautiful thing they did for us.”