Pow-wow begins Friday

The Grand Ronde Tribe’s annual pow-wow begins at 4 p.m. Friday with the Royalty Pageant followed by the Grand Entry at 7 p.m.

"It is always a good time of year for the tribe," said Ed Larsen, vice chairman of this year’s event.

"It’s a homecoming for a lot of families. It is also a community event. It is fun to watch the people from all over dance and have a good time. The pow-wow is for the whole family to enjoy."

The pow-wow continues on Saturday with a parade at 10:30 a.m. Two Grand Entry ceremonies are scheduled Saturday-- at 1 and 7 p.m. The pow-wow concludes Sunday and a final Grand Entry is at 1 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend along with all dancers and drummers. Free camping is available and parking costs $1 or a donated canned food item.

"It is always a good time," said Kathryn Harrison, tribal chairperson.

"No matter how tired you are, the drumming and dancing makes the tiredness go away. We get to see family; friends and people from different tribes come together. We take so much pride in people coming to be with us."

This year’s host drums are Seekaskootch, from Hobema, Canada; Blacklodge, from White Swan, Wash.; Little Island Cree, from Ministickwan, Saskatchewan; Walking Buffalo, from Big River, Saskatchewan; and Blackstone, from Sweet Grass, Saskatchewan.

The event will be held at the tribe’s pow-wow grounds, located about a mile off Highway 18 on Grand Ronde Road.