EISF Native American Dept. sees 688 entries submitted for the 2026 showcase
2026 EISF Native American Dept. superintendent Anna Bowers (center) and staff.
By YVONNE WARJACK
Sho-Ban News
BLACKFOOT — Native artists, crafters, photographers and community members brought hundreds of entries to the 2026 Eastern Idaho State Fair, where the Native Department featured beadwork, photography, traditional arts and cultural displays while recognizing exhibitors with awards in several categories.
Anna Bowers, superintendent for the Eastern Idaho State Fair Native Department, said this year’s department received 688 entries from 87 exhibitors. The department has approximately 390 categories, with tribal special categories bringing the total to about 397. Bowers has worked with the Native Department for approximately 13 years, beginning around 2013. She stepped away for two years before later returning to oversee the department.
1st place ribbon winner awarded to Charlene Wahtomy for her beaded
purse depicting a horseman with a warbonnet.
Among this year’s displays were mannequins on loan from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum. Bowers explained that the display was connected to the 250-year commemoration and showed examples of how Shoshone-Bannock people dressed during the period associated with Lewis and Clark, Charbonneau and Sacajawea. The display included traditional clothing and moccasins and provided fairgoers with historical information about the Shoshone-Bannock people and their presence in the region before that period.
Tribal member Leslie St. Clair won a Best of Show award for her son’s beaded
graduation cap.
The department also featured a detailed beadwork entry by Charlene Wahtomy, depicting a Native American chief standing beside a white horse. The piece incorporates extensive beadwork to create the figure, horse, floral designs, trees and surrounding landscape. Wahtomy received a First Place ribbon for the entry.
Several exhibitors were also recognized through special awards carrying cash prizes.
The Superintendent’s Award for Photo Horse Regalia went to Randy’L Teton, who received $100. Bowers said she allows the booth workers who help put the Native Department exhibit together to select the Superintendent’s Award recipient.
Award winning beaded horse regalia, created by Juanita Teton, on
display at the EISF Native American Dept. booth.
Other special award recipients included Larry Teton, who received $200 for a Beaded Men’s Necktie; Leslie Shay St. Clair, who received $100 for a Beaded Graduation Cap; and Alysia Washakie, who received $100 for a second Beaded Graduation Cap award. Burlee Broncho received $200 for a newly made Willow Basket, Thomas Johnson received $200 for a Women’s Beaded Knife Sheath, and Gregory Broncho received $200 for a Beaded Medallion Concept. The Hand Carved and Beaded Pipe, Children’s Chokecherry Pudding and Children’s Ta’o (Boy) special categories received no entries this year.
Award winning willow basket created by tribal member Burlee Broncho.
Additional recognition was given in the Photo Horse Regalia category, with six $50 consolation awards presented to J.W. Ball, Lizzie Boyd, Leo Teton, Polly Hevewah Matsaw, Joi Lee Soldier and Jesse Tone.
