Friday, August 9 evening grand entry.
FORT HALL — Coordinator Wendy Farmer said overall the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival went well.
The Powwow committee's goal was to end by 6 p.m. as a courtesy to travelers. “The Committee was fortunate that the tabulators were quick, we were able to notify head staff of any tie’s quickly — the lead dancer tabulator was Robert Mann and drum tabulator was Taylor Thomas.”
Farmer said there were about 500 registered dancers not counting the non-competition dancers and tiny tots. “It was a lot of fun.” She added the largest group of dancers was the Juniors (7-12) followed by Junior Adults (18-35).
This year the Committee offered 37 dance categories not including the three committee specials, and hand-drum contest. The overall drum contest drew 13 contest drums, eight non-contest drum groups and seven women’s back up singing groups. Every single drum group and backup singer received either prize money, consolation money or day pay, she continued.
Concerning the overall schematics of the campgrounds, it gets congested during the grand entry times and parking is hard to find. Farmer said in conversation with John Kutch, Public Works, he said it is one of the largest Saturday night crowds he has witnessed in many years. People parked along Hi-line down towards Sho-Ban School, all along Ross Fork Creek, hotel and enterprise areas. “I truly commend the Public Works crew working long hours to keep up with the trash that accumulated hourly; Wayland Coby and Junior Honena addressing electrical issues as they came up,” she continued.
Loren Sammaripa carries in the eagle staff during Friday's
grand entry.
On a positive note, Head Drum Judge Lee Whiteplume gave a prayer to the committee for the weekend to all work together, communication is key — in the end he said it was a blessing as no eagle feathers were dropped, that is good.
Farmer added a campground issue that came up time and time again was the restrooms, be it not enough handicap restrooms throughout, to not being serviced enough. “We did include the times of service this year and also had hand washing stations aside many of the large groups of settings that people gave feedback that was a good. Also, there were no arrests made on site of the campgrounds. Signs were posted at various billboards and social media of the basic campground rules and I think that helped,” she said.
The Tribes Public Works has a new water tank installed and the hose did detach and sprayed a couple of vendor booth spots that is being addressed with the vendors and the Tribal Property Department.
“I also coordinate the Festival Salmon and Buffalo Feast. The salmon is cooked on-site at our family’s campsite; organizing volunteers to help serve was last minute on my part,” Farmer said.
This year there was a “marketing team” that assisted with the overall development of the Festival poster, flyers, pictures and social media updates. The team did great in capturing various events and hoping to grow this team. Also, various photographers have shared their photos with the Festival Facebook page. Farmer noted there is a media registration requirement on the Festival website page.
She is still receiving reports from various committee’s; “I did reach out to Rhue Olney-Broncho, Rodeo Producer and she said the rodeo went great overall. INFR Rodeo participation continues to grow.”
Farmer said the biggest question she had was a Festival schedule. “I didn’t put one out this year and diverted all persons to Sho-Ban News sales. We should have coordinated sales of the news at the information registration window — possibly next year we can do that if the Council sees fit to re-appoint me as the overall Festival Coordinator.
She is seeking re-appointment as the overall Festival Coordinator. Some committees have reaffirmed they are willing to continue on board but it is really up the Fort Hall Business Council as they select the Festival Coordinator, she said. My appointment was for two years and this was the second year of my service. Overall, I know I can’t make everyone happy, I know we did get some criticism from our tribal members be it, opening of campgrounds, sanitation services, garbage, dust, and the safety of the handgame facility needs to be addressed and taken care of.”
“I will be providing a full report to the Council,” Farmer said.