Blackfoot High School Indigenous Club hosts annual contest powwow
Elianna Coby crowned new Miss Blackfoot High School on May 2.
By LIZZIE BOYD
& BREE BAKER
Sho-Ban News
BLACKFOOT – The Blackfoot High School Indigenous Club hosted a two-day powwow May 2 and 3 at the Chris Gardner gymnasium at Blackfoot High School.
Matt Wilson served as emcee, Kyle Nipwater as arena director and Medicine Thunder was host drum.
During the first session the evening of May 2, Blackfoot School District 55 selected their new royalty. Elianna Coby is the new Miss Indian Blackfoot High School queen. Tia Worley is the new Miss Mountain View Middle School Princess, first attendant is Orion Wheeler Kirkland, second attendant is Sadie March, and third attendant is Arianna Edmo. Sophia Edmo is the new Blackfoot Heritage Sixth Grade Princess and first attendant is June Graves Chavez.
During the Saturday afternoon session there were two dance specials. Outgoing Miss Mountain View Middle School (MVMS) Chelia Dann hosted a royalty special Michelle Hernandez spoke on behalf of Chelia and the family. All current title holders were invited to dance in the special — participating royalty included Miss Indian Blackfoot High School Elianna Coby; Miss Mountain View Middle School Princess Tia Worley; Miss Blackfoot Heritage Sixth Grade Princess Sophia Edmo; Indian Day Jr. Princess Mariella Eldridge; Jr. Miss Pabanamanina Annaleigh Sammaripa; Sho-Ban Jr. High School Princess Ariauna Pebeahsy; Fort Hall Elementary Princess Elaya Villarreal, and ECP Brave Denver Yazzie.
All royalty received a gift bag and the special ended with everyone dancing a round dance.
Tia Worley crowned new Miss MVMS.
Headwoman Ashra Benally hosted an all-ages fancy dance special during the afternoon session. Kara Tsosie spoke on behalf of Ashra and her family while Ghost Canyon sang for the special. First place winner was Evah Dann, second place winner was Chelia Dann, third place winner was Charlie Barton, two consolations winners were Mariella Eldridge and Ebonee Whiteman. After the winners were announced, an honor song was sung for Ashra.
During the last session of the powwow Saturday evening, the Blackfoot School District 55 parent committee honored both Michele Hernandez and Joy Mickelson for their years of dedicated services as they are both retiring at the end of the school year. They both received gifts, and an honor song was sung for them. Many people in attendance shook their hands and gave them hugs for their dedication to Native education.
Headman dancer Tristen Cornpeach sponsored a random draw category special where he picked a category out of bag, and it was Women’s Fancy. Tristen danced alone for the first verse and the women dancers joined in and danced two songs. Tristen picked Joetta Bitsuie as the champion and she is Navajo/Ute.
Sophia Edmo crowned new Miss Blackfoot Heritage 6th Grade Princess.
Powwow winners; Women’s Golden Age 55+ First - Nummie Osborne.
Junior Girls Traditional first-Evah Dann, second – Sofia Edmo, third – Yabba Sammaripa. Junior Girls Jingle: First – Elaya Villareal, second – Lily Arriwite, third – Tamia Cerino. Junior Girls Fancy: First – Felicity Stagner, second – Tia Worley, third – Sadie March. Junior Boys Traditional: First – Adonis Osborne, second – Zaiden Beasley, third – Tristen Brown. Junior Boys Grass: First – Takja Barton, second – Conner Honena, third – Jon Hernandez. Junior Boys Fancy: First – Jax Hernandez, second – Macario Hameline, third – Demarcus Pebeahsy.
Teen Girls Traditional: First – Skylee Osborne, second – Annika Gonzalez, third – Envy Beasley. Teen Girls Jingle: First – Ebonee Whiteman, second - Tee’Araha Anderson, third - Lakieta Jay. Teen Girls Fancy: First – Gabrielle Appenay, second – Chelia Dann, third – Rosie Medicine Horse. Teen Boys Traditional: First – Glen Garcia, second – Indian Dann Cornpeach, third – Kenai Corona. Teen Boys Grass: First – Sammy Snipe.
Women’s Traditional: First – Tay’a Osborne, second – Leanne Bear, third – Levi Other Medicine. Women’s Jingle: First – Julianne Scabbyrobe, second – Atalya Benally, third – Raenisa Barton. Women’s Fancy: First – Kayla Dann, second – Raenell Scott, third – Joyce Graves. Men’s Traditional: First – Quinn Ike, second – Jon Archuleta. Men’s Grass: First – Kenny Brown Sr., second – Michael Eldridge, third – Tristin Ike. Men’s Fancy: First – Kenny Brown Jr., second – Tyi Bear.
