Dummah Newe Di'Wahzy Holiday Winter Powwow teachings carried on

Sponsors and volunteers with the Carrying the Message MMIP group at the Christmas Day Holiday Winter Powwow.

FORT HALL — The Dummah Newe Di’Wahzy “For the People” Holiday Winter Powwow was a collaboration of the Abrahamson, Baldwin and George families. 

They talked about how their great-grandfather, Willie George, instilled into their grandparents and parents to do things that helped the people. “We felt this was important because this pandemic has taken a lot from our people and community and it is crucial that we stay strong in our traditions and culture,” said Dustina Abrahamson. “But one thing we need is healing and we have observed the joy and excitement of our youth when they get the opportunity to do something active. It was with that in mind that we planned this event to promote the importance of our traditional/educational knowledge, leadership, healthy living and preserving our culture and traditional as Newe’ (Indian People) with our young people.” 

The powwow was for our small community and to focus upon our children, she said. “It felt good to see all of those that were able to come and attend with their families. Gift cards, toys, popcorn, cakes, cookies, cash prizes, smoked hide, shawl, arm bustles/sticks, t-shirts, and much more, was given out to those that were able to attend.” She noted the event would not have been possible without the hard work of these ladies; Alana Baldwin, Willeena George, Leela Abrahamson, and Challis Baldwin. “A big shout out to Carrying the Message/MMIP group, who did an awesome job getting sponsors/donations of toys, and wrapping them up, for the children of our community.”  

Dustina Abrahamson, organizer, pays out money to dancers.

Sponsors & volunteers of the event: Carrying the Message/MMIP, Ladd Edmo – FHBC, Tribal DOE, Tax/Tobacco Commission, Sho-Ban Tribal Enterprise, Fort Hall Housing Authority, Jamey Windt & FBI Division, CTEA, Miss Shoshone-Bannock – Ontaria Arrow White and Family, ARM Program, Property Department, Suite 1491 – Jason Dial, Pahvz Kettlecorn – Mike Pahvitse, The Hide Shack – Dude Perry, Summer Baldwin & Family, Jamie Farmer & Family, Sunshine Perry, Terrence Johnson, Lizzie Boyd, Emma George, Cathy Coby, Tiffany Barkell, Chris & April Cutler, Mirium Thorpe, Reynese Ridley, Tess Ridley, and Cyd Crue. If anyone was left out I apologize, but just know you made this happen! 

The head staff did an awesome job making sure everything ran smoothly; MC – Tyson Shay and Rose Ann Abrahamson and our Arena Director – Kyle Nipwater. Thank you for the invocation Gary Watson, so that we would have a great event with good feelings and blessings. Thank you to the drum groups; Medicine Thunder, Spring Creek and Sage Point, for the good music so we could dance. We would like to thank the Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr High School & Board for allowing us to have our event at the gymnasium. Ernie Wahtomy & Oren Washakie, thank you for being there and on call if we needed anything.

Youth dancers at the powwow.

Time flies by when you’re having fun and there was so much more we wanted to do but hopefully our people will be able to have more events once this pandemic subsides. Thank you all for attending and please keep safe and many blessings to each and everyone of you this upcoming new year!

Oose! Thank you
Dustina Abrahamson

Medicine Thunder drum group.

Dummah Newe Di’Wahzy “For the People” Holiday Winter Powwow Winners:
Jr. Girls Categories (7-12): Fancy Shawl – 3rd Kiellila Sabori, 2nd Acacia Meeks, 1st Eliseahna Evening. Jingle – 3rd Hunnie Rose Pahvitse, 2nd Keyorie Ball, and 1st Serenity Jones-Perry. Traditional – 3rd Neveah Tinno, 2nd Norma Hall, 1st Mika Funmaker

Jr. Boys Categories (7-12): Fancy Feather – 1st MaCario Hameline. Grass – 3rd Leonardo Otero, 2nd Tate Johnson, 1st Avery Mountainsheep. Traditional – 2nd Zander Broncho, 1st Gator Boyd.

Teen Girls Categories (13-17): Jingle – 3rd Kimora S.?, 2nd Danna?, 1st Isabell Martin. Traditional – 3rd Neveah Tinno, 2nd Angela Nevarez, 1st Susan Avila 

Teen Boys Categories (13-17): Fancy Feather 3rd T.Rae Edmo, 2nd Arick Hernandez, 1st Carwinn Howie. Grass – 1st Carwinn Howie. Traditional – 2nd Carwinn Howie, 1st Klydesdale Broncho 

Best dressed contemporary: Jordan Broncho & Layla Buckskin

Best dressed traditional: Tommie Mountainsheep