BEMIDJI — The 18th Annual Niimi’idiwin (powwow) will be noon-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.
Presented by Sanford Bemidji, Red Lake Indian Health Service Hospital and Cass Lake Indian Health Service Hospital, the celebration is intended to celebrate holistic healing and the community’s Ojibwe heritage.
All are welcome to this celebration of the healing power of heritage, in the field west of the hospital.
Dancer registration begins at 11 a.m. with the pipe ceremony and grand entry to follow at noon. Dancers will be awarded at approximately 5:45 p.m.
The grand entry will be led by local tribal and Bemidji honor guard members. The powwow will have the following specials: men's grass dance, women’s jingle dance, men's and women's traditional dance, a potato dance and spot dances throughout.
The feast of Red Lake walleye with traditional fixings will be served starting at 4:30 p.m.
Darryl Kingbird is the powwow emcee and Gary Charwood is the arena director and spiritual adviser. Invited drum groups include Ojibwe Nation, Smokey Hill and Young Kingbird.
Only pre-invited color guards, honor guards, vendors and booths will be permitted to perform or set up during the event.
