Last Chance Community Pow Wow Returns To Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds September 26–2
Author: Darcy O'Dell, LCCPW Committee Board Member
Last Chance Community Pow Wow Returns to Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds September 26–28
Darcy O'Dell
LCCPW Committee Board Member
The heartbeat of the drum will once again echo through the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds as the Last Chance Community Pow Wow, celebrates its 26th year.
This year’s theme, Honor the Children, calls the community together to witness and support the next generation of culture bearers, young drummers, singers, dancers, and artisans carrying forward the traditions of their ancestors.
From the first beat to the final step, children are at the center of this gathering. They drum, sing, and dance, each act a thread in the living fabric of Native heritage. These experiences keep them rooted in their identity and prepare them to pass traditions on to generations yet to come.
At the heart of the Pow Wow lies the sacred circle, a place where heaven touches earth and the Spirit moves through song, dance, and prayer. It is a “thin place”, where the boundary between the earthly and the divine is lifted, inviting reflection and connection.
The Grand Entry is more than a procession; it is a living testimony, “We are still here”. Led by veterans and elders, and concluded by the youth, it marks the beginning of a sanctified time, a time of remembrance, healing, and joy.
Every dancer’s regalia is a prayer in motion. Hand‑stitched beadwork, feathers, and fringe tell stories of survival, ceremony, and identity. These garments are not costumes, but sacred expressions of heritage, crafted with love and worn with reverence.
The dances speak in ancient languages of the land: the grounded strength of the Men’s Traditional Dance, the grace and dignity of the Women’s Traditional, the vibrant spins and jumps of the Fancy Dance, the wind‑swept sway of the Grass Dance, the healing steps of the Jingle Dress, the humor and reverence of the Chicken Dance, and the unifying embrace of the Round Dance, where elders, youth, strangers, and kin join hands as one.
This year’s festivities begin Friday morning, September 26, with Demonstration Day, when approximately 800 local students will experience Native dancing, drumming, and cultural exhibitions as part of Native American Awareness Week.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can explore Native arts and crafts in the Exhibit Hall, savor famous frybread and Pow Wow Indian Tacos, and join in intertribal and round dances open to all. Grand Entries take place Friday at 6:00 PM, Saturday at noon and 6:00 PM, and Sunday at noon, when winners will be announced at the close of the session.
Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. Step into the circle September 26–28 at the Exhibit Hall, Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds to celebrate culture, Honor the Children, and be part of a living tradition that bridges generations.
The Last Chance Community Pow Wow is not just a weekend celebration; it is a year‑round commitment. The Last Chance Community Pow Wow Committee brings drumming, dancing, and cultural education into local schools and community events, ensuring that Native traditions are not only preserved but shared.
More information is available at https://lastchancepowwow.com.
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PhotoCredit: Last Chance Pow Wow
