Eastern Shoshone Indian Days brings people together
Eastern Shoshone Entertainment Committee honor song.
By DANA HERNANDEZ
Sho-Ban News
FORT WASHAKIE, Wyo. — The 61st annual Shoshone Indian Day Powwow was conducted from June 25 to 27.
The midwest is still cancelling powwows this year, even a year after COVID-19, but the Eastern Shoshone Entertainment Committee worked hard to bring everyone together.
Cass Burson who serves as Chairwoman for the Eastern Shoshone Entertainment Committee said it was her second term being on the entertainment committee and this year’s planning for the powwow was not easy. Burson said, “it was stressful and a lot of people had to donate their time to plan and purchase items for the powwow and we’re buying stuff from our own pockets and that was due to our limited budget.”
The Shoshone Business Council eventually gave the committee a good contribution. At first the committee planned on charging a $10 door fee to enter the powwow, but the cost to man the entrances was not worth the effort.
Sunday grand entry at Eastern Shoshone Indian Days.
A lot of services were cut, security and help staff were cut. The MC, arena director and powwow staff were cut drastically. Finding people who would provide their services for free was also a struggle.
Overall, the powwow was a success working with the last minute changes and budget. The committee had to leave out the Indian games, parade, and feast. Their main focus was on the powwow.
During Saturday’s grand entry, the MC, George Abeyta said the question was always “could we afford the powwow?” but the real question was “could we afford to not do the powwow?"
On Sunday before the last grand entry, Burson said they’ve received a lot of good words of appreciation and people were contacting the committee and thanking them for hosting the powwow this year.
“It’s been a good feeling, when you’re running around trying to make sure everything is handled and going good. It kind of lifts your spirits,” said Burson.
