Denver kicks off powwow season
Friday - March 24, 2023 by Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Jr. Miss Southern Ute Leandra Litz and Miss Southern Ute Grace Gonzales stand in line to shake hands with other visiting royalty on Friday, March 17. The Southern Ute Royalty represented their affiliations well during the Denver March Powwow, making sure to shake hands with all and attend each Grand Entry throughout the weekend.
Powwow Arena Director, Corey Reeder watches as drum group Heartbeat leads in Grand Entry with the “A Living Hoop” song composed for the Denver March Powwow.
Southern Ute Royalty and Southern Ute Air Force Veteran, Austin Box “check in” at the Denver March Powwow, following Grand Entry on Friday evening.
The Southern Ute Veterans Association enters Grand Entry carrying the Colorado State Flag, Flag of the United States, and the Southern Ute Tribal Flag.
Drum group “The Boys” sings for the “Wicaglata”–Women singing behind the drum– contest. The Boys are well known throughout Indian Country for their champion singing and well composed songs.
Womens Northern Cloth traditional dancers line up for judging after their dance contest on Saturday evening.
Jr. Womens Jingle Dress dancer, Zariah J. Whiteplume competes in the Youth Enrichment Special sponsored by the Denver March Powwow Committee on Saturday, March 18. Dancing to a sidestep song, Whiteplume prepares to raise her fan during the honor beats of the song. This special is held for dancers aged 15-24 to encourage the young dancers transitioning into adult categories to continue dancing.
Jr. Mens Grass Dancer, Tyrin Lasley looks into the arena before his respective dance competition on Saturday Night Live. Contest dancing is featured throughout the event, with 34 contest categories each dancer showcases their best moves and regalia.
Miss Native American U.B.I.C. Neesah Kanip (Northern Ute) dances alongside fellow royalty during Friday night Grand Entry, well over 40 title holders came to enjoy Denver March Powwow, represent their affiliations, and support the outgoing Denver March Powwow Princess – Tessa Holds The Enemy-Abbey.
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | SU Drum
This past weekend dancers, singers, vendors, and spectators gathered to celebrate the 47th Annual Denver March Powwow held Friday, March 17––Sunday, March 19. Located at the Denver Coliseum this event brought thousands together and is often referred to as the kickoff powwow for those whole regularly travel the “powwow trail” throughout the North American region. The Ute tribes are well represented during the event, with attendance from the Southern Ute Royalty, Ute Mountain Ute Royalty, Ute Indian Tribe Royalty, and members of the Southern Ute Veterans Association Color Guard.
Tags: 47th Annual Denver March Powwow, Austin Box, Corey Reeder, Denver Coliseum, Denver March Powwow, Denver March Powwow Committee, Indian Country, Jr. Mens Grass Dancer, Jr. Miss Southern Ute Leandra Litz, Miss Native American U.B.I.C. Neesah Kanip, Miss Southern Ute Grace Gonzales, Powwow Arena Director, Southern Ute Air Force Veteran, Southern Ute Royalty, Southern Ute Veterans Association Color Guard, Tessa Holds The Enemy-Abbey, Tyrin Lasley, Ute Indian Tribe Royalty, Ute Mountain Ute Royalty, Ute Tribes, Youth Enrichment Special, Zariah J. Whiteplume, “A Living Hoop”