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The closing ceremonies are both spiritual and celebratory. They give thanks for the previous years and ask for blessings and good fortunes for the upcoming one. This is a sacred, integral part of the entire gathering that has just taken place over the last week, and is the most important ceremony they conduct over the entire weeks gathering. The day starts out with a procession that goes to the four corners of the camp and performs a ceremony at each point, which consists of solemn ceremonies, drumming, dancing, and singing. This process takes most of the day as they move from one spot to another in procession and repeat the entire ceremony at each place.

Since the ceremony is involved and complex with each part full of meaning and purpose I will just present the outward appearance of it as shown by the images made through out the days activities. After a full day of proceeding throughout the camp they ultimately wind up at the Arbor for the final closing ceremony. The dancing and singing go on well into the night, then it’s over. The camp is torn down, the lodges packed away and the people return to their homes to await next years festivities.

The procession is brought to the place where the ceremony will be performed led by a revered elder on horseback.

All of the participants are following in a line and will form the circle when all are in place.

The pipe is brought out for its part of the ceremony

The men wait to begin the dancing. Everyone is quiet, listening to what is being said. This is  a solemn occasion and is treated with the utmost respect by all.

The drummers begin and the singing commences.

The men start to dance. Some of these participants will dance for seven to eight hours today.

The circle is traveled many times during each ceremony.

Elders and young alike participate.

Women take an equal part in the ceremonies. This is a very spiritual time and it often has an effect on the participants.

Many of the participants are moved by the proceedings. It is hot this afternoon and the clothes the women wear are heavy. They will stay out with the rest of the participants until everyone reaches the Arbor at the end of the day.

This is a joyous event as well as a solemn one and during breaks in the ceremony there is time for laughter and love.

Everyone is wearing their finest today. What you see is a continual display of pride in their culture and themselves.

Women waiting for the next part of the ceremony to begin. All ages are represented here.

The fans they carry are more than decorative. Besides being used to cool themselves it is the perfect sunshade. The temperature is in the high 90’s today and that beautiful buckskin dress is warm.

Taking a moment between dances.

These dancers seem tireless. After a few moments rest they will be back dancing again.

The ceremony is over at this location and they head off under the guidance of one of the elders on horseback to perform it again at the next location on the other side of the camp.

Part of the ritual is waving to the others as they leave for the next location to continue the ceremony.

The women wave as they leave. This is not done as a continual exercise where they wave constantly, but is part of the traveling routine. After so many drum beats they will repeat the gesture with a loud call of leave-taking and continue on their way. This is repeated until they get to the next destination.

The drummers en route to the next place of worship.

There are many of displays of happiness and joy as this part of the ceremony is completed

There is also determination.

The ceremony has concluded out in the camp and now everyone has assembled at the Arbor for the evenings’ ending ceremonies.

The pipe is used by the drummers to purify themselves and prepare for the events to come.

The pipe is returned to the elders who carry it.

The circle begins again. This has special meaning as it is the last dance of the gathering. It is a bittersweet moment as they celebrate the past year and dance in pure appreciation of the year to come and of who they are. This is the Crow Nation at one of its finest moments.

The dancing tonight is more subdued than other times. These women graciously enter the circle.

As always there is color everywhere.

As the evening winds down the dancing is watched by older eyes. He has seen many of these ceremonies. There is calm recognition of what has taken place over the last week and he see past the excitement of the moment. He sees the circle continuing as it has for all the many years gone by.

This young member is learning what it means to be a Crow. He studies every movement and sound intently as if he knows that before long this event will be in his hands, and he will be one of the leaders that he studies so intently right now. The circle is still open and there is room for him to join it and he shall. Watch closely young man the future needs you.