University of Idaho graduates being honored at the 23rd Annual UI Tutxinmepu Powwow, among them were Dosa Nappo (fourth from left) and Ambrea Sam (far right).
By BRENDA MCKEAN
Sho-Ban News
MOSCOW — Shoshone-Bannock students Dosa Gavay Nappo and Ambrea Lyn Sam graduating from the University of Idaho in May were among those honored at the 23rd annual Tutxinmepu Powwow in the ICCU Arena.
The Native American Student Association, in collaboration with the Native American Student Center and Office of Tribal Relations hosted the powwow. UI Native students helped with running the powwow.
Other 2024 graduates honored were Lance Dick Jr., Shoshone-Paiute, Alejandra Marie Dick Shoshone-Paiute; Asiah Brazil-Geyshick, Ojibwe Lac La Crouix, Ontario, Canada; Angel Williams, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Payton Brower, Spokane Tribe; Kieran Orlando-Thunder, Nez Perce; Malina Walkush, Tlingit of Southeast Alaska and Micah LaQuann Bisbee, Nez Perce. All the graduates received stoles from the program.
Local Shoshone-Bannock students who attend University of Idaho.
Outgoing Miss Tutxinmepu Christina Katlsukis Pulapa had a dance special in her honor. New incoming Miss Tutxinmepu is Kria Peters, while first runner up is Sienna Wolfchild, Shoshone Bannock.
The emcee for the powwow was Andre Picard Jr., Nez Perce. Arena Directors were Lance Dick Jr., and Aldwin Keo. Lightning Creek from Lapwai was the host drum for the powwow. The spectators and participants had stew and frybread for dinner. There were vendors at the location and students were selling raffle tickets for items in which the students donated items.
NASA committee had specials for the powwow where Shoshone-Bannock students presented the specials. There were two sessions of the cake walks and all 300 plates were sold. The 25 plus cakes were made by the students for the special. The other special was the potato dance and had over 20 pair of dancers. The winners of the potato dance received $200 and second place received $100.
Cake walk sellers Nivea Oliva and Jasmyne Bache.
Sydel Samuels was honored and was given the Distinguished Alumni Award, for her 14 years of working at the University of Idaho NASA and NASC, as the director. She ended her service after working ten plus years with the Native Student Center as director, which she said is the “best Native American Student Center in the west.”
Local students attending the University of Idaho are: Dosa Nappo, Claire Edmo, Ambrea Sam, Jackelyn McKean, Nathan Tinno, Robert Whitney, Tyler Anderson, Nivea Oliva, Jasmyne Bache, Jovannie Baldwin, Charlie Neaman and Sienna Wolfchild.
The current University of Idaho Native American Student Association officers are Dosa Nappo, Shoshone-Bannock, President; Claire Edmo, Shoshone Bannock, Vice President; Angel Williams, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Secretary; Harold Garcia, Yakama, Treasurer; Robert Whitney, Shoshone-Bannock, UNITY Rep, and Keilan Arthur, Nez Perce, UNITY Rep.
Yolanda Bisbee is the Executive Director of the Office of Tribal Relations and Dakota Kidder is the Program Coordinator at NASC.