Veterans Powwow set for July 6-8

If you go

Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow

When: Grand entries are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, July 6; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 7; and 1 p.m. Sunday, July 8.

Where: Uyxat Powwow Grounds off Highway 22 near Fort Yamhill State Park.

Cost: Free parking and camping available.

More information: Contact Dakota Whitecloud at 503-879-4240 or by e-mail at sangretta@yahoo.com. 

Navajo gourd dancers from southern Oregon and two dance specials will highlight this year's Marcellus Norwest Memorial Veterans Powwow to be held Friday, July 6, through Sunday, July 8, at Uyxat Powwow Grounds in Grand Ronde.

The powwow grounds are located off Highway 22 near Fort Yamhill State Park.

The Tribal tradition of honoring veterans, Native and otherwise, is expected to bring thousands to Grand Ronde from across the country. Previous powwows have drawn many from overseas as well.

Drummers and dancers from all over have been invited, said Dakota Whitecloud, an Elder and chair of the Tribe's Veterans' Special Event Board, which organizes the powwow. Thirty to 50 vendors are expected, including many supporting Tribal programs, such as housing, social services and health care.

The dance specials will be an Owl Dance and a Team Dance, she said. And along with the Gourd Dance exhibition, the Owl Dance is scheduled for Saturday. The Team Dance is on Sunday.

Master of ceremonies will be Nick Sixkiller and whip man will be Tony Whitehead. Head man and head woman will be the husband-and-wife team of Deitrich and Rose Peters.

Wayne Chulik, Patty Coffey and Tom Smith will carry Eagle staffs this year.

Chulik also will join this year's Honor Guard that will include Tribal Elders Gene LaBonte and Wink Soderberg.

Veterans Royalty - Senior Queen Kallie Provost and Junior Queen Isabelle Grout - "will represent the powwow, help serve dinner, and pass out medals to honor the veterans," said Reina Nelson, also a member of the Veterans' Special Event Board. "They help the Veterans' Committee and help the announcer. And, of course, they will be dancing all weekend."

As always, there will be raffles for many Tribal and community events and projects throughout the weekend.

"We're proud of our veterans," said Whitecloud, "and we always want the Veterans' Powwow to be something special for them."