Spokane celebrates Native culture with Gathering at the Falls Powwow

Ringing bells and drum beats filled Riverfront Park on Saturday, as hundreds of Native American families gathered on the shores of the Spokane River for a powwow celebrating heritage, culture and community.

The 27th annual Gathering at the Falls Powwow kicked off with a grand procession, which included Native American leaders carrying Eagle staffs, American, Canadian and Prisoners of War/Missing in Action flags. Hundreds of dancers in regalia, including jingle dresses, feather headdresses, buckskin and bead outfits followed the leaders into the center of the powwow and performed.

Precious Paul David, a member of this year’s Gathering at the Falls powwow royalty, was one of the performers near the front of the Grand Entry. The 17-year-old, who is a part of the Blackfoot, Chippewa and Pend Oreille tribes, said she learned to dance as she as soon as she could walk. She started performing the Jingle Dance, but intends to compete in the Fancy Shawl Dance this year.

David said her favorite part of the Gathering at the Falls powwow is how everyone comes together to enjoy themselves, so that there is always something for everyone to do.

Dan Nanamkin, a Colville tribe member from Nespelem, said people from around the U.S. and Canada attend the powwow as an opportunity to reconnect. He added that it’s also an opportunity for Spokane to learn from native culture.

“We’re out here sharing who we are, our culture, music, protocols so the community can come … and get to know us,” he said.

Nanamkin said he travels and teaches Native American culture and history and has also been involved in activism, like the Standing Rock Protest over the Dakota Access pipeline.

Dave Brown Eagle, a member of the Spokane Tribal Business Council for the Spokane Tribe of Indians, said he’s been to a powwow every weekend since June and has been attending the Gathering at the Falls Powwow for years. Many of the people who attended, he said, he’s seen at different events on the circuit and powwows are similar to family reunions.

The Gathering at the Falls Powwow began Friday and will continue through Sunday with a children’s powwow. Powwow coordinator Jerry Crowshoe said the entire community of Spokane was welcome to attend and all children are invited to participate in Sunday’s activities.