This post has been moved to OpenChutes.com. All future postings of Powwows, Indian Relay Races, Rodeos and Rendezvous will be posted there from now on exclusively. So if you’re looking for new images and posts for all those events attended this year, plus all the old posts posted on BigShotsNow.com check out OpenChutes.com. See you there!

Sunday morning was the big parade and it was wonderful. It was like a small town parade with homemade floats and people dressed up in costumes but from an Indian perspective. It was long and hot, the temp being in the low 90’s, but worth every second of it. We all got lawn chairs, found what shade we could and watched everything unfold.

The effort that went into designing and creating their native dress was spectacular. The pride they took in it and the seriousness with which they presented themselves spoke  to their deep reverence for their past. It was living history on display.

Usually I include a lot of dialog with each image but today I’ll just invite you to go to the parade with me. Pull your chair up, don’t leave your  water bottle sit out in the sun and enjoy the Crow Nation parade.

Opening ceremonies. Presenting the flag and color guard.

Men’s War Bonnet category.

Young dancers on a float.

                           Men’s War Shirt Category

                           Men’s War Shirt category

Women’s Old Time Saddle category

                               Women’s Buckskin category

                        Women’s Elk Tooth category

                            Teen Boys Reservation Hat category

                           Teen Boys War Bonnet

                           Men’s War Bonnet

                                 Teen Girls Nez Perce category

                           Teen Girls Buckskin category

                            Teen Girl’s Elk Tooth category

                          Junior Girls Old Time Saddle category

                         Junior Girl’s Elk Tooth category

Young Crow dancers on Float

Decorated truck and Float

And the parades over for this year. It was a lot of fun and even though the participants often looked serious you could tell they were having a good time. When they had gotten past the reviewing area the smiles came out, they waved to the crowd and basked in the attention. Lots of candy was thrown out to the kids and bystanders. The announcer made a point of telling everyone it was diabetic candy, apparently Diabetes is endemic in the tribes and there is a huge effort to educate and combat it. Soon all the exhibitors had unsaddled their horses, changed out of their costumes and we were back in the 21st century again. I have already placed this event on my calendar for next year. Why don’t you come along.