57th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow
Thursday - April 6, 2023 by Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Southern Ute elder and veteran grass dancer, Marty Pinnecoose dances into Grand Entry on Friday night.
A young gourd dancer enjoys the afternoon session of Gourd Dance on Saturday, April 1, this session lasted four hours as the floor filled with visiting dancers.
United States Army Veteran, Bruce LeClaire dances into the arena during Grand Entry on Saturday, April 1.
Ute Nations Color Guard lead in the first Grand Entry of the 57th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow, Friday, March 31. Followed by visiting royalty, ambassadors, and dancers — the gym floor fills with participants.
Fort Lewis College President, Tom Stritikus, alongside powwow emcee Rick Yazzie, welcomes attendees to Durango, Colo. and the Whalen Gymnasium. Stritikus wished all a safe and joyous weekend as the powwow kicked off Friday afternoon at Fort Lewis College.
Members of the Southern Ute Royalty attended both days of the Hozhoni Days Powwow, greeting powwow participants in their role as ambassadors for the Tribe. Miss Southern Ute, Grace Gonzales, Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Leandra Litz, and Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Shayne White Thunder welcomed the newly crowned first alternate titles; Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Rhianna Carel and Jr. Miss Southern Ute Alternate Maleina Carel.
Tiny Tot dancers take to the floor on Saturday afternoon, each child won a small monetary prize as well as a variety of gifts for their participation.
Nearing the end of Saturday’s Gourd Dance session, dancers gathered around the host southern drum, Southern Slam.
Champion singers, Southern Style compete in the drum contest sponsored by the Wanbli Ota powwow committee, singing a song for a round of intertribal dancing Saturday evening.
Women’s Jingle dress dancers line up for judging following their contest on Saturday night. Youth contestants competed on Friday evening and the adults followed the next evening session.
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
Wanbli Ota, a student organization at Fort Lewis College, welcomed spectators and participants to the 57th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow, Friday, March 31 — Saturday, April 1 inside the Whalen Gymnasium. Bleachers filled with spectators as dancers and singers take to the floor for this student led event featuring a handful of specials, drum contest, and 27 competing dance categories. Themed “Path to Healing While Restoring our Reziliancy” The event proved to be a success with visitors attending from across the Four Corners and Indian Country.
Tags: 57th Annual Hozhoni Days Powwow, Bruce LeClaire, Colo, Durango, Fort Lewis College, Fort Lewis College President, Four Corners, Grace Gonzales, Indian Country, Jr. Miss Southern Ute, Jr. Miss Southern Ute Alternate Maleina Carel, Leandra Litz, Little Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Marty Pinnecoose, Miss Southern Ute, Miss Southern Ute Alternate, Rhianna Carel, Rick Yazzie, Shayne White Thunder, Southern Slam, Southern Style, Southern Ute Royalty, Tom Stritikus, Ute Nations Color Guard, Wanbli Ota, Whalen Gymnasium, “Path to Healing While Restoring our Reziliancy”