The dance of life: across the Rockies, powwows offer a look at vibrant Native American cultures - Travel Guide

Sunset, June, 1999 by Candy Moulton

The ground vibrates under the feet of the powwow dancers. A kaleidoscope of brightly beaded costumes and feather bustles flashes as the dancers' arms move in measured circles, expressing the motion of life.

Dancing at a powwow is "just another way of holding on to our culture and heritage," says Blackfeet dancer Justine Croff of Browning, Montana.

In late spring and early summer, dozens of intertribal powwows take place at Native American reservations and other venues. Most are open to the public for a small admission fee.

Because powwows are competitive events and include many tribes, they present a great opportunity to compare dance techniques and dress. Traditional and fancy dancing are practiced by almost all tribes, as is the strenuous grass dance, which involves a costume adorned with brightly colored strings of yarn or ribbon.

Below are a few of the oldest and most popular powwows. For others, contact state tourism departments, listed at www.sunsetmagazine.com under "Travel."

COLORADO, Delta: Council Tree Powwow & Cultural Festival. Southwestern tribal dancers and members of the Ute nation; dancing and drumming contests. September 24-26; (800) 8741741 or (970) 874-1718.

IDAHO, Fort Hall: Shoshone-Bannock Festival. Idaho's biggest powwow.

August 12-15; (208) 237-9791. MONTANA, Browning: North American Indian Days. The largest Blackfeet tribal event in the United States includes dancing and drumming contests and a parade. July 8-11; (406) 338-7276.

UTAH, Fort Duchesne: Northern Ute Indian Powwow. Dancing by Northern Ute, Northern Plains, and Southwestern tribe members. July 1-4; (435) 722-5141.

WYOMING, Cody: Plains Indian Museum Powwow. Dancing, traditional arts and crafts, and demonstrations by all the Northern Plains tribes. June 19-20; (307) 587-4771.