The Ute Indian Tribe hosts the Northern Ute Thanksgiving Powwow on Thursday, Nov. 24 – Saturday, Nov. 26 at the Ute Indian Tribe Recreation Center otherwise known as the Fort Duchesne Gym. This powwow featured contest dancing and singing, vendors, and a turkey dinner for all visitors. Every November, members of the three Ute tribes travel north to spend their Thanksgiving holiday at this celebration, taking time to visit family and friends of the Ute Indian Tribe.  

Beginning on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 24 a handful of dancers filled the gym floor for Grand Entry with songs by host drum “The Descendants” out of Fort Berthold, N.D., Thursday evening did not feature competition singing or dancing however attendees enjoyed intertribal dancing and even a “Turkey Call” contest. Tribal royalty attended all three days of the event with introductions to visitors on Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon, in attendance: Miss Southern Ute Grace Gonzales, Miss Southern Ute Alternate Bella Cloud, Jr. Miss Southern Ute Leandra Litz, Little Miss Southern Ute Cyana Whiteskunk, Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate Shayne White Thunder, and Southern Ute Brave Henry Whiteskunk.  

Friday evening, the Ute Indian Tribe Recreation Center filled all seats with competing dancers, singers, spectators, and vendors. Powwow Emcee Bart Powaukee, who is local, welcomed all to the Northern Ute Thanksgiving Powwow as Grand Entry began with direction from visiting Arena Director, Yahsti Perkinskiller of Birney, Mont., local veterans led Grand Entry with visiting tribal royalty following directly behind. Champion dancers from all over Indian Country hit the floor warming up for their respective category contests.  

The night started with a round of intertribal dancing–meaning all dancers and spectators are welcome to share the floor– and visitors moved to the sounds of seven singing groups as the selected drum judges surrounded each visiting drum. Shortly after competition dancing began for all junior, teen, adult, senior adult, and golden age category. Members of all three Ute tribes proudly represented themselves as many donned their best regalia and participated in the competition dancing.  

On the final day of the Northern Ute Thanksgiving Powwow, the event featured a Red Dress Special in honor of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, a winner take-all teen boy’s traditional special in honor Ojaydale Trujillo, and a tiny-tot dance special. The hallways of the Ute Indian Tribe Recreation Center filled with a variety of vendors selling jewelry, supplies, hides, shirts, beads, and food. Spectators of all ages had a variety of activities to participate in during their time at this celebration. During supper break the Ute Indian Tribe hosted a turkey dinner, offering visitors a free meal in recognition of the Thanksgiving holiday.  

The Ute Indian Tribe welcomed visitors from across Indian Country, and it has become a long-standing tradition that members of the three Ute Tribes participate in the Northern Ute Thanksgiving Powwow. Time and time again, tribal members and their families enjoy visiting extended family members and friends, participating in competition singing and dancing, and sharing their best memories of the celebration with one another.