Newly Crowned Royalty: Miss Sho-Pai, Robin Harjo, Sho-Pai Princess, Nishone “Angabododdzic” Jones, Sho-Pai Future Princess, Jenna Sope, Sho-Pai Pee-Wee Princess, Mattisen Jones

By DeMetria Sam, SPN?Reporter
   OWYHEE, Nov. 15--It was the thunder of the drum that set the magnificent tone for a weekend filled with tribute to a very special group of people.  Dancers, donning every color imaginable, entered the circle, stepping in tandem to the drum’s beat.
   This was the annual Shoshone-Paiute Tribes’ Veterans’ Pow-wow held in Owyhee to honor Duck Valley service men and women, both past and present.
    At Friday’s grand entry, the respected flags were carried by honorable servicemen and women—followed by head man dancer Derald Julianto of Owyhee, Nevada and head woman dancer Carolyn Owyhee of Lapwai, Idaho.  Following Julianto and Owyhee were Idaho and Nevada royalty, behind them were dancers of all ages from golden age to junior and tiny-tots. Together they danced—circling the flags in honor of the Native American circle and in honor of veterans.
    There were a total of 105 registered dancers, several unregistered dancers and 12 drum groups who traveled from near and far:  Sweet Sage drum group, along with Little Eagle Tail, both of Owyhee; Eagle Bear Clan of Spring Creek, Nevada; Blasting Eagle, Yakama Boys, and Mitaat Waptes traveled from Lapwai, Idaho; Iron Horse came from Salt Lake City; Indian Express of Elko, Nevada; Fish Lake Stream traveled from Harrah, Washington; Buffalo Lodge came from Fort Hall, Idaho, Southern Action and the host drum Red Hoop, both came from Garnerville, Nevada. The Arena Director, Ivan Julianto, is from Owyhee, Nevada and powwow emcee  was Emerson Bill of Salt Lake City.
   The host drum received kudos from this year’s pow-wow committee, as Paula Whiterock, one of the committee’s three members gushed, “Our host drum was awesome—they may be a hard act to follow for next year.  They were loud and powerful—they had energy that drew in our dancers and made you want to dance!”
   It was beneficial to have a powerful drum, as it was to have a powerful voice. Throughout the powwow, Emcee Emerson Bill offered knowledge related to Native American culture and tradition.  
   “Emerson did a very good job.  What I liked most about him was that he was able to tell where things originated from culturally.”  Whiterock said Bill  was talkative and made jokes which she felt was important to be fun in addition to teaching and offering a lot of information to our people. 
 During the powwow on Saturday, intertribals, exhibition and competition dances as well as a variety of specials and giveaways took most of the day during both sessions.  After the five o’clock dinner break on Saturday evening, the highlight of the powwow was during grand entry when Colonel John D. Bird II, commander of the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base and his personnel arrived. 
   “This is the first powwow I have attended—and I am very honored to be given the opportunity to be here,” Colonel Bird said.   He continued to express how privileged he felt to be a part of the powwow gathering.  And to pay respects to the MHAFB airmen, a tribute was given by the men traditional dancers through a straight and sneak-up dance before their departure. 
   On Sunday—the final day of the powwow, dancers continued dancing to intertribals, exhibitions, owl dancing, and tie-breakers.  
   Larry and Bobby White of Plummer, Idaho won the Owl Dancing Special.
   “They danced so beautiful—it was really neat.” Paula said that the couple had people fascinated--staring in awe.  “It was really beautiful.”
   The powwow committee would like to thank the following for support, monetary assistance and donations:  Visitors, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, Barrick Gold Mine, Our Store—Tiny Tots, Sandra Smith and Teresa Garcia, Sheldon Beck, Terry Ann, Big-O, Lloyd, Flag Carriers, Airbase Commander and servicemen, Red Hoop, Drum groups, dancers, kitchen help, potluck cooks and donators, vendors, Sidney Smith, Ethelyn Whiterock donating food, security, cleaning crew Jeremy Prior and Carrie Barr, Royalty contestants, Deli and Owyhee Café for feeding the host drum and emcee, Marty Leyva for technical assistance, point-counter Lacey Walker,  and residents who kindly offered their homes to drum groups and dancers.
   “I received a lot of comments about how our people here in Owyhee show so much hospitality,” Paula said.  She relayed that Lula Nelson from the Iron Horse drum group told her it’s like coming home.
   “It was the best powwow we’ve had so far,” said Paula.