Eighth Annual Friends of the Intertribal Gathering

The Eighth Intertribal Gathering was held at Fort Robinson State Park in northwestern Nebraska June 8, 9, and 10, 2007.  Approximately 3,000 attended, which included around 600 people each session.  The Gathering was aimed at reinforcing American Indians values and traditions, and not only provided a fantastic tourist destination for people from all over the country, but also gave local citizens the opportunity to experience a unique and wonderful heritage. 

There were 24 Dance categories with 70 dancers in all, and ten to fifteen tiny tots in full regalia.  Not only was this one of the largest years in terms of attendance for the Intertribal Gathering, but we also had 22 tribes represented in the Dance Contest.  Dancers came from Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming.  Six Drums provided the beat with songs that contributed to the success of the Gathering.  Those drums are as follows: Host Drum - Sons of the Oglala; Honor Drums - Pawnee Spotted Horse and Creek Side; Guest Drums - Denver Indian Singers, White River Crossing and Northern Cheyenne.  New to the Gathering this year was the honoring of the ceremony by three color guards; usually there is only one.  Our traditional supporters are the Tokola Color Guard, and new this year were the Rosebud Color Guard from the Rosebud Reservation and the VA Color Guard from Pine Ridge, South Dakota. 

Activities

Friday:  June 8, 2007 was “Open for Cheyenne Day” at Fort Robinson State Park; Lame Deer Reservation brought 150 participants to the event to honor Cheyenne leaders and friends.  They proceeded from the Cheyenne Breakout Barracks and moved to the Cheyenne Breakout Monument southwest of Fort Robinson State Park along Highway 20 around 10 am.  The Grand Entry to Honor Cheyenne Descendents was held at 7PM.  The day concluded at 10PM.

Vendors set up throughout the day on Friday.

Saturday:  A 5-K Run and 1/2-K Fun Run was held to reinforce the need for a healthy lifestyle.  Awards and gifts are provided after the event.

Vendors and Information Booths set up in the morning with Introductions starting at Noon.

Joe Simmons opened the Intertribal Gathering with a welcome speech after the Grand Entry. Dr. Leonard Little Finger was the guest speaker and provided history regarding Fort Robinson and the events surrounding the death of Crazy Horse.  2007 marked the 13^th anniversary of his death.  This was a significant event for many of the Sioux tribes attending. 

17 Dance categories were held over the three day event with the majority of the dancers being 24 years of age and older.  Last year the large groupings were teens and junior ages.  Grand entries were held at 1 pm and 7 pm on Saturday. 

Sunday: Grand entry was held at 1 PM, and final dance contests and honoraria awards were held around 4 PM.