MAY 2025
WWW.KBIC-NSN.GOV
ISSUE 30
KBIC NEWS WAABIGWANI GIIZIS - FLOWER MOON
Spring Contest Pow Wow Brings Community Together in Marquette
Culture
and
2025 TRIBAL COUNCIL Robert “RD” Curtis, Jr, President
The 3rd Annual Spring Contest Pow Wow, hosted by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, welcomed a large and enthusiastic crowd to Vandament Arena in Marquette, Michigan. With around 1,200 people attending throughout the weekend, the event was a powerful celebration of culture, tradition, and community. “This year we had 409 dancers
Everett Ekdahl, Jr, Vice President Sam Loonsfoot, Secretary Elizabeth “Liz” Julio, Asst. Secretary Theodore "Austin" Ayres, Treasurer Doreen G. Blaker Sue Ellen “Suzie” Elmblad Dale Goodreau Jeremy T. Hebert Rodney Loonsfoot Tony Loonsfoot Toni J. Minton Photo Courtesy of Decland McQueen
Photo Courtesy of Decland McQueen
IN THIS ISSUE PRESIDENT’S REPORT CEO'S CORNER CONTEST POW WOW HEALING TO WELLNESS ANISHNABE DENTAL OUTREACH SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS
participate in the Spring Contest Pow Wow,” said KBIC Pow Wow Committee Chair Christine Awonohopay. “It was an amazing weekend celebration and a great turnout.” Dancers and drum groups traveled from across the United States and Canada to take part in the competition. The energy in the arena was electric as nine contest drums and host drum HoChunk Station filled the space with powerful songs throughout the weekend. The Drum Contest winners were: 1st Place: Sharp Shooter 2nd Place: Young Enemy 3rd Place: Bear Creek 4th Place: Little Bear 5th Place: Battle Nation The pow wow also featured 18 food and craft vendors, offering a wide
selection of handmade goods, artwork, beadwork, traditional foods, and more. With rows of colorful regalia, championship dancers, and powerful drum performances, the event truly showcased Indigenous excellence. From the Grand Entry to the final contest rounds, the pow wow created a welcoming space for all to gather, celebrate, and honor cultural traditions. The KBIC Pow Wow Committee thanks everyone who helped make the event a success. This year’s Spring Contest Pow Wow highlighted the strength and beauty of indigenous culture, and the community is already looking forward to next year. MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE ASHI-NISWI (13)