Arlee schools celebrate the culture of the Flathead Reservation

By B.L. Azure

Young and old, feathered and non-feathered folks took part in the annual Arlee Schools Indian Day dancing at the high school gym. (B.L. Azure photo)

ARLEE — This is the time of the year when all the out of the normal school day activities take place. Last Thursday the Arlee School District hosted one such event with the celebration of the tribal culture of the Flathead Indian Reservation. The daylong tribal cultural doings at the various schools included the afternoon powwow. It was the colorful highlight of the day.

There was plenty of poetry in motion on the floor of the AHS gym at the Arlee Schools Indian Day powwow. (B.L. Azure photo)

The powwow had the cozy feel of relaxed enthusiasm. Most of the students who packed the high school gym Thursday afternoon didn’t stick to their seats. They were encouraged to get out on the floor to participate in the traditional Indian dancing that was taking place to the beat of a pair of drum groups. There were also presentations of various dancing classifications.

Arlee Warrior scarlet colored dancing regalia fit the dominant color scheme of the AHS gym. (B.L. Azure photo)

There was also an award given to a young student for winning the Jump Rope for Heart Health challenge. Six-year-old student Shonlea Matt won the top prize and was awarded a $50 gift certificate, a medal and a plaque for her effort. The young lady was proud of her accomplishment and it showed by the upward curvature of her mouth.

However, her grandmother Sharon Matt said she was the proudest of all that day.

It was a proud day for all parents, friends and relatives of the youngsters among us who are learning the way of the other and sporting similar upward curvature of their mouths.

It was a good day to celebrate the differences and the sameness that make up the populace of the Jocko Valley.