Nebraskaland Magazine
Fort Robinson State Park will again celebrate Native American culture during one of the High Plains’ premier powwows.
The 16th annual Intertribal Gathering will be Friday through Sunday, June 12-14, featuring traditional dancing, drumming and singing in a family-friendly environment. The event annually attracts hundreds of dancers and spectators.
Grand entries are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon Sunday under the direction of master of ceremonies Billy Good Voice Elk Jr. A wide array of activities will complement the dancing, including a 5k run, storytelling and the crowning of a princess. One of the special features this year will be the smoke dance.
Vendors selling Native American crafts, food and other items, also will be on-site.
The events are open to the public free of charge, but vehicles are required to have a Nebraska park entry permit. The permit can be purchased online at www.outdoornebraska.org or at the park headquarters.
More information is available at “current projects” link at www.panhandlercd.com, the website of event sponsor Panhandle Resource Conservation & Development.
The schedule:
Friday, June 12: 1 p.m., ground blessing and vendors open; 3 p.m., registration for contest dance; 5 p.m., smoke dancers; 6 p.m., honor meal; 7 p.m. grand entry followed by warm-up dancing
Saturday, June 13: 8 a.m., registration for 5k run, half-K for children and run/walk for seniors; 8:30 a.m., run begins and vendors open; Noon, welcome and smoke dancers; 1 p.m., grand entry; 5:30 p.m., honoring ceremony; 7 p.m. grand entry, crowning of princess and smoke dancers
Sunday, June 14: 10 a.m., spiritual music provided; Noon, grand entry; 1 p.m. smoke dancers; 4 p.m., conclusion
