The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes are looking to bring the community together in celebration of local Native American culture with the 61st annual Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival.
The theme for this year’s festival is “One People, One Purpose, One Future,” and it’s what Event Coordinator Leah Tindore felt is important today.
“With everything given in the world today, when I thought of ‘One People,’ it was to bring everyone together,” Tindore said.
She says it doesn’t matter if you’re indigenous or not, the festival is for all people and Tindore wants to bring them together.
“’One Purpose’ is protecting and celebrating our culture, or everyone’s culture whatever that may be,” Tindore said.
Coming together for the festival also points her focus on the future.
“’One Future’ was to inspire our youth and to strengthen our next generation,” she said.
It brings Tindore joy when she sees the festival come together. It’s a large task for an event like this to come together and she’s seen how it’s changed over the years. It started as the Tribes wanted to celebrate their culture and bring the community together.
“I’m a 3rd, almost 4th generation and my great grandparents would talk about how small it used to be,” Tindore said.
The events kick off with a parade known as the Kids Day Parade on Thursday at 10 a.m. Then the Powow begins, with grand entry at 7 p.m.
Local native artwork will be displayed, and hand-made goods such as clothing, beaded bags and other items will be for sale. Indian Relay Races will be on the track Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
A rich piece of Native culture will be on display. They have around 1,000 singers and dancers who come to the festival to perform, compete and celebrate.
“A lot of people don’t dance to compete, they dance for healing or prayer, so a lot of people don’t register,” Tindore said.
In years past, dancers could register online before arriving to the grounds, but this year, registration is in person. Dancers are encouraged to go to the grand entry a couple hours early to sign up.
Tindore says supporting the festival is helpful to everyone involved.
“It keeps tradition alive, it strengthens our identity and it brings families together,” Tindore said. “It supports all our local dancers, our artists, our singers, our vendors, it’s really a place for elders and everyone to connect to the Shoshone-Bannock culture.”
The festival goes from Thursday to Sunday with activities each day. For more information, go to shobanfestival.com.