Crow Fair 2015 Grand Entry

This post has been moved to OpenChutes.com. All future postings of Powwows, Indian Relay Races, Rodeos and Rendezvous will be posted there from now on exclusively. So if you’re looking for new images and posts for all those events attended this year, plus all the old posts posted on BigShotsNow.com check out OpenChutes.com. See you there!

CrowFairGrandEntry1517

The Grand Entry at Crow Fair is the beginning of all the festivities that take place in the Arbor. The Dance contests, ceremonies, the general get together when everyone dances for the sheer enjoyment of it. It is the center of all the social activities. It always begins with the color guard presenting the flags.

CrowFairGrandEntry1534

A dancer performs a special dance to complete the flag presentation.

CrowFairGrandEntry0987

Then the procession begins with the Royalty entering the circle. These are all the Princesses that have been selected by the various tribes participating to represent them.

CrowFairGrandEntry0994

The men follow.

CrowFairGrandEntry1016

The elder warriors leading the men into the circle.

CrowFairGrandEntry1025

Followed by the women dancing their way around the arbor

CrowFairGrandEntry1036

There are  many different emotions displayed by the participants. This is a very special time for all.

CrowFairGrandEntry1087

They continue dancing, gradually completing the circle.

CrowFairGrandEntry1095

Everyone who can, participates.

CrowFairGrandEntry1117

Each category of dancers enters in their turn.

CrowFairGrandEntry1305

The men’s group puts maximum effort forth as they enter.

CrowFairGrandEntry1352

Each dancer showing his own style as they enter.

CrowFairGrandEntry1367

Women take their place in the circle.

CrowFairGrandEntry1394

Young mothers with their children dance and bring their young ones into the circle as soon as they can carry them into the arbor.

CrowFairGrandEntry1412

An elder warrior pensively completes another round as everyone that can fit enters the arbor.

CrowFairGrandEntry1454

Younger warriors enter in their turn

CrowFairGrandEntry1456

As the circle tightens and fills towards completion the dancers begin to pick up the pace.

CrowFairGrandEntry1492

There is movement and color everywhere one looks.

CrowFairGrandEntry1521

The drummers are tireless. The beat, the songs, the energy, keep everyone focused and the dancers are totally dependent on them. The ceremonies couldn’t take place without them. They are the heroes in the background, usually unseen but always heard.

CrowFairGrandEntry1501

The circle is complete. All the participants are inside the arbor, the circle has tightened to make room for everyone and the Grand Entry is complete. Soon the dancing will start and continue until the fair is over.

Over the next few days we e will bring you the Dancing, the Parade, Portraits, the Rodeo, and the Closing ceremonies. Stay  tuned.

Blackfeet North American Indian Days Men’s Dancing

This post has been moved to OpenChutes.com. All future postings of Powwows, Indian Relay Races, Rodeos and Rendezvous will be posted there from now on exclusively. So if you’re looking for new images and posts for all those events attended this year, plus all the old posts posted on BigShotsNow.com check out OpenChutes.com. See you there!

NAIDMensDancing2117

The North American Indian Days is an annual event held on the Blackfeet Indian reservation usually in July and is billed as one of the biggest tribal get-togethers in North America. They say North American instead of the Unites States because some of the participants are from tribes that live in Canada. It lasts for about a week, four days according to the advertisements, but everybody’s there early and leaves late so plan on at least five or six days if you want the full experience.

The largest events by far are the dance contests and they take place daily. Everyone dresses in their finest and since this is a contest where you can win money for how well you dance, they really put  their hearts into it. They would really put their hearts into it if there were no cash prizes because pride and the call of tradition is even more important than the money, as you can see on their faces while they are performing.

The following images are a small selection of the dancers and activities in the contests. They were chosen to show the variety of the costumes, from the more traditional to the fantastic regalia of the Fancy dancers.

NAIDMensDancing2101

Everything starts when the dancers begin to enter the arena. Men’s dancers are the first to enter.

NAIDMensDancing2217

They’re followed by another men’s category composed of slightly younger men. This continues until all the dancing categories are in the arena.

NAIDMensDancing2232

From the youngest dancers

NAIDMensDancing2858

To the elders

NAIDMensDancing2221

Groups form

NAIDMensDancing2252

Elders watch from the sidelines before they dance

NAIDMensDancing2403

The contestants dance the circle

NAIDMensDancing3228

Fancy dancers display their abilities

 effective. viagra for. NAIDMensDancing2091

Individuals begin to break off and dance on their own

NAIDMensDancing2096

Each showing their interpretation of the dance

NAIDMensDancing3485

From the more traditional

NAIDMensDancing3027

To the swirling colors of the Fancy dancers

NAIDMensDancing3073

Regalia of every type imaginable is on display

NAIDMensDancing3443

A Fancy dancer shows his skill

NAIDMensDancing3464

A traditional dancer shows his

NAIDMensDancing2063

Every piece of the regalia has meaning

NAIDMensDancing2678

Mixing of older and newer elements is part of the style the dancers choose, it reflects tradition as well as their own personality. It is a very personal choice.

NAIDMensDancing3507

Dancing requires focus and determination and stamina

NAIDMensDancing2127

Many hours have gone into the creation of the various parts of their outfit and it shows.

There were hundreds of dancers competing, each vying to win their category, but the most important thing for them was to display their pride in their heritage, their traditions, and their sense of place as modern members of an ancient tribe. That part was effortless. Their every movement displayed the intensity of being a member of their tribe and showing the world that they hadn’t forgotten their old ways. The dancing celebrated this and win, lose or draw their participation was their biggest accomplishment. They were all winners.