Thousands expected for Julyamsh
POST FALLS – Since time immemorial, scores of Indian tribes have flocked to this region to celebrate summer’s bounty and challenge each other in riding contests, dances and competitive games.
They’ll stage the same time-honored gathering this weekend at the largest outdoor powwow in the West, to be held at Post Falls’ Greyhound Park.
Known as Julyamsh, the three-day powwow will draw thousands of Indian people and upwards of 30,000 spectators, said Cliff SiJohn, director of cultural affairs at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort and Hotel in Worley, event sponsor.
SiJohn said Julyamsh is a hybrid word that describes the celebration that blended early fur trappers’ Independence Day levity with the Indians’ annual festival in the Inland Northwest.
SiJohn, whose native name is Circling Song, explains the event’s history this way: “The Coeur d’Alene Tribe invited other Indian tribes to come celebrate with us life and the good things that have happened to our tribe. Our grandfathers told us: ‘If you have something, you must share. Otherwise, you have nothing.’ ”
Spectators are welcome.
“There are bleachers, a hundred vendors and eating places to take care of everybody. And we encourage young people to come watch and recognize that Indian people and their traditional culture are as alive and well as they were 1,000 years ago,” SiJohn said.
This year’s special guests include members of an Ecuadorian tribe and the Southern California Bird Singers, who perform songs and movements about their ancestors, who followed migrating flocks for survival.
Colorful dance competitions feature tribes in full regalia moving to chants, drumbeats and other instruments. At stake is $100,000 in prize money.
SiJohn said it is important to remember drum beats symbolize heartbeats to Indian people. And every dance step is a prayer.
Other big draws include horses and riders, decked in paint, feathers, beads and hides.
“The beauty of our women and men riders is just magnificent. They’ll take your breath away. They set the stage for what it was really like,” SiJohn said.
Meanwhile at the casino, Indian people compete in fierce round-the-clock stick games competitions, open to wagers.
“It’s pretty exciting to watch,” SiJohn said. “It’s a psychological and spiritual movement game. You’ve got to be on your toes to play. You can sit here all night, bet and walk out of here with a fortune.”
In addition to the Coeur d’Alene, Spokane and Colville tribes, look for Apache, Comanche, Dakota, Nez Perce, Cheyenne, Crow Creek Lakota and many others.
“It’s an opportunity to touch hands, to take strengths from each other, rekindle friendships, start new friendships, exchange ideas and artistic techniques to ensure our cultures and traditions carry on,” SiJohn said.