Powwow A Cultural And Spiritual Event

They come to preserve tradition.

For hundreds of years, Indian people from throughout the Northwest and Canada have gathered here in Spokane to honor their families and culture.

That practice continues today with the annual Spokane Falls Northwest Indian Encampment and Powwow at Riverfront Park.

For three days, thousands are expected to watch and participate as native families celebrate their heritage with food, dancing and traditional practices.

The powwow will include the dancers’ grand entries tonight at 7, Saturday at noon and 7 p.m., and Sunday at noon. The events will take place at the Lilac Bowl.

Vendors also will be selling food, Indian crafts and artwork.

The event is hosted by the Spokane Tribe, the Colville Confederated Tribes, the Coeur d’Alenes, the Kalispels, the Nez Perce Tribe and the Yakama Indian Nation.

The powwow, many Indians say, will also be a spiritual event, one that ties Indian people to one another, to their communities and to their Creator.

, DataTimes