Julyamsh continues to be Inland Northwest summer tradition

For nearly two decades now, dancing and drumming have brought participants and spectators from across the U.S. and Canada to Coeur d’Alene for the 2017 Coeur d’Alene Tribal Encampment and Julyamsh Powwow, the largest outdoor powwow in the Northwest.

And this year is no different. With $120,000 in prize money up for grabs, the 2017 event, Friday and Saturday at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds, is expected to draw between 600 and 800 dancers, competing for prizes in the men’s grass dance, women’s jingle, and men’s and women’s traditional categories, and 25 to 30 drum groups.

Grand entries, a term used to describe what was once called a victory dance, will be at 1 and 7 p.m. both days of Julyamsh. Horse parades, with horses and riders in full regalia, will precede each grand entry at 12:30 p.m.

No pictures or recordings are allowed during the grand entries.

At the end of the grand entry, a respected elder will give an opening prayer.

The Host Drum for this year’s powwow will be provided by Bull Horn, Blood Tribe.

Coeur d’Alene Casino’s cultural affairs director Quanah Matheson will act as master of ceremonies, and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Franky Skwanqhqn and Stephanie Reynolds will, respectively, act as head man dancer and head woman dancer.

Reuben Little Head will act as roaming MC and drum coordinator.

Arts and crafts, authentic native works and memorabilia, and food and drink will be available throughout both days of the event.

This year’s event marks the second Julyamsh to be held at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds. Julyamsh was previously hosted at the Greyhound Park and Event Center in Post Falls.

“The fairgrounds proved to be a fantastic new home for Julyamsh last year and we are excited to continue the relationship this year,” Francis SiJohn, CEO of Coeur d’Alene Casino, said in a press release. “Everyone is hard at work preparing, it’s sure to be a great year.”