A look inside the Denver March Powwow

The March powwow aims to preserve and protect the traditional performing arts of American Indian people. My grandmother refers to it as “a beautiful and amazing cultural gathering.”

I have attended this event since I was 12 years old and, like my grandmother, have witnessed its growth firsthand. This year, I was enamored with the amount of art and the number of dancers, who had the most beautiful array of colors on every regalia. People lined up every morning and throughout the day to get into the powwow. One of my favorite things about it is the respectful connection it builds between Native and non-Native communities.

It gives the non-Native community a firsthand view of our Native American culture, not just one style of Natives, but dancers and artists worldwide. Growing up off the reservation, I feel that Natives are grouped into one category. But every reservation or tribe has its own traditions, languages and overall culture. And seeing them all together in one beautiful event gives non-Natives a safe place to ask questions, observe and learn.

The powwow has many small educational events and workshops, leading up to the actual event, that are open to the public. I am proud to call Grace Gillette my grandmother, and the honors she has earned over the years are well deserved. Anyone who knows her will quickly realize she is humble and readily praises the efforts of everyone around her.

When I was asking about the early years of Denver March Powwow, I learned that Keith and John Fox, Frank Sherwood and Buzzy Malnouri sat on the very first Denver March Committee in 1974. They all have roots in the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of the Fort Berthold Reservation. Paige Baker Sr., also from MHA, was the first master of ceremonies. All families were part of the relocation to Denver from the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.

In January 2020, Larissa No Braid was named the powwow coordinator. She was gracious to visit with me, stating her most demanding challenge is just enjoying the powwow, which happens at a million miles an hour with no sleep. She said her priorities are to make sure everyone is safe and the powwow runs on time, so it is difficult to turn people away when there are requests for air time, special performances or civic/national duties.

As Native people we try our best never to say no, but there are just not enough hours in the day to accommodate everyone. That can get stressful. Larissa said her favorite part of the powwow this year was her grandmother’s special she held for her grandchildren who have extra challenges and needs in life.

The prayers offered to Cashis, Walker Mae, and Holy Rope Runs Above were consistent throughout their lives, but seeing them on the dance floor enjoying themselves with smiles for days truly made everyone emotional.

In closing, Larissa noted a few firsts for the powwow this year. It had its first national sponsor from Gen Mobile. It also had a unique visitor that I know the kids enjoyed the most: Rocky, the Denver Nuggets mascot, who danced with all the kids. Another spotlight was the Women’s Jingle category, which had 80 registered dancers, the most that category has had since the pandemic started.

I recommend the Denver March Powwow to everyone; it’s worth a drive, and I promise it will not disappoint. The beauty of our Native American culture never does.