Shokota Pow-Wow Supply thriving through pandemic
Shokota Pow-Wow Supply owner Georgette Running Eagle at her store.
By ROSELYNN YAZZIE
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — Shoshone-Bannock tribal member Georgette Running Eagle is about to celebrate her second year of her business Shokota Pow-wow Supply. She registered her business on February 19, 2019.
The name, “Shokota” is a unique blend of Shoshone and Lakota, which pays tribute to her children’s bloodlines, which was inspired by her adopted grandma Judy Trejo, a well-known circle dance song singer.
Shokota Pow-Wow Supply began as an online small business and vendor selling at powwows, to now a proud store owner. The shop is located next to her residence on the Shoshone-Bannock reservation, in the Bannock Creek district. Her husband, Ernest, renovated the shed, which includes heat, lighting and shelving.
Her main job is working for the B.I.A., she is also a jingle dancer, seamstress, and beadworker. Her idea for her business began after they were furloughed. She realized she needed to think of other sources of income to support her family, so she began to make jingle dresses. She soon realized it was hard to come by supplies she needed locally. She ordered jingles online and with a little encouragement from her mentor and past experience with multi-level marketing sales, the idea took off from there.
She began by selling jingles, ribbon, and hairpipe bone. Over time she used her extra income to add to her inventory. She also took advantage of the tribal CDFI small business loan program, as well as the Small Business Development Association. Shokota Pow-wow Supply now offers numerous supplies, like beads, hairpipe bone, jingles, fringes, scarves, thread, needle, sinew, ribbon and material –— just about anything a craftsman could need to create something one of a kind. She does her best to keep stocked on more traditional staples.
Georgette said if they don't have what one is looking for she will do her best to get it. A recent request was simulated porcupine hair. She said she takes on the task as a challenge and does her best to collaborate with local shops, like the Tribal Enterprises and tribal entrepreneurs. She really enjoys the networking opportunities, with vendors like Teton Trade Cloth, Anishinaabe Bimishimo, Crazy Crow Trading Post.
The store promotes local artists, such as Brodie Sanchez, Paula Top Sky Houtz, Kira Murillo, to name a few. She sells their items through commission, or buys their product if they can work something out. She’s also done trades for supplies.
“I’m all about trying to support our local entrepreneurs or our local youth who are trying to keep afloat right now.
Georgette said despite the pandemic, and not being able to travel, her business is thriving through online sales and social distance shopping offered at her store by appointment.
Georgette said having a lot of variety for her customers to select from is important, so it can keep the creativity going.
“That’s more important now than ever, for people to keep minds occupied and keep their hands busy. Just to keep those creative flows going,” she said. “Not only because of the pandemic, but to teach our younger generation our craftsmanship and things like that, because we’re competing with technology. We need to try to keep the craftsmanship and teachings alive.”
Last fall she worked with Idaho State University to host local classes where participants paid a fee to learn to make ribbon skirts and porcupine quillwork. She recently donated a $100 gift card towards the Bannock Burger “Pay it Forward” initiative.
Georgette said her future goals for Shakota Pow-Wow Supply include operating full time with a few steady employees, and of course, a bigger storefront.
Owning her own shop keeps her busy, but it’s been a dream come true. She remembers the days of the Old Clothes Horse store and how it was one of her favorite places to go with her grandparents.
Shokota Pow-wow Supply is available online at shokotapowwowsupply.com or on site at her store through appointment on Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Georgette said most people just message her through Shokota Pow-Wow Supply, LLC.’s Facebook page to contact her.
