ARLEE — Amidst a swarm of kids of all ages steeped in an intense game of “double-ball” at the Arlee Powwow, Paul Phillips emerges victorious with the leather pouched prized object draped over his stick as he sprints the arena baseline with a dozen young competitors in pursuit.

Throughout the traditional Native American game played between squads from Arlee-Mission and Ronan-Pablo on July 2, sweaty brows and unavoidable smiles were abundant. But no grin was larger than Phillips’ — and his team lost.

The 33-year-old Ronan man will be the first to tell you that nine years ago he could not have competed in such rigorous activity. In 2000, Phillips says he was up to weighing 239 pounds and couldn’t keep up with his own kids. That’s when Phillips said something had to change, and he got into personal fitness.

Nowadays Phillips is trim and fit, and the kids are having a tough time keeping up with him.

“I saw the benefits of fitness and I wanted to get out in the community and share that knowledge with others and help them to benefit from a healthy, active lifestyle,” Phillips said.

For the past two years, Phillips has been doing a Traditional Living Challenge internship with Salish Kootenai College, with a focus on traditional foods and helping others choose healthy lifestyles. Whereas he says the challenge hasn’t gone fully traditional, the diet is similar in makeup with all the basics, including vegetables, berries and meat playing large roles. The Kootenai tribal member will be hosting a TLC camp Aug. 17-23 at Spotted Bear Ranch in Whitefish.

Phillips is currently certified in group fitness training and plans to attend both SKC and the University of Montana in pursuit of his Health Sciences and Physical Fitness degree.

In the meantime, Paul is a fitness outreach coordinator with a grant program through SKC called Field and Home. The grant started in June to fund a free Family Activity Night from 5-8 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday night through the summer at SKC’s Joe McDonald Fitness Center. The activities will include: Family volleyball, kickball, basketball, softball, ultimate frisbee, biking, walking and others upon request.

Then through the new Community Health and Development Center out of Pablo’s program “Traditional Lifestyles for Healthy Communities,” Phillips takes traditional American Indian games like double-ball and “shinny” to area towns to start up weekly games aimed at getting kids, and parents, out of the house and active on a regular basis. The program also hosts nutrition seminars, teaching gardening over buying commodities and canning and preservation techniques with gardening.

“We want to educate the parents too, because if they’re healthy and active their kids will be also,” Phillips said.

He said he wants to hit Ronan, Pablo, Polson, Elmo, Arlee and St. Ignatius with such games soon.

“These couple programs get the kids active and they’re native games that are able to capture the cultural aspect as well,” Phillips added.

The next big double-ball match is slated for the Standing Arrow Powwow in Elmo on July 17-19 and you can bet Paul will be out there ready to go and share the fun with area youths.

For more information on the Family Activity Nights call the SKC Fitness Center at 275-4800, ext. 4981.

Powwow season kicks off in Arlee

 The 111th Annual Arlee Celebration took place from July 1-5 at the Arlee Powwow grounds, welcoming hundreds to the area for five days of arts, crafts, games, ethnic foods, dance competitions and a whole lot of culture.

More than 30 drum groups and 500 dancers competed for a share of $60,000 in prize money. The powwow grounds were in ship shape having underwent $80,000 in improvements and maintenance this year with new asphalt and carpeting for the covered stick-game pavilions, sturdier bleachers, and easier access electrical connections to the vending areas and campgrounds.

This year’s Arlee Celebration honorees are Angeline Andrew and Eneas Vanderburg. The 2009 Young Warrior title goes to Isiah Russell, and Sirraya Dubois is Miss Salish-Pend d’Oreille for this year.

The powwow is sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe and Yamncut.

Also taking place in Arlee was the annual Fourth of July parade.

Befitting the holiday, and in revolutionary fashion, the throngs of masses at the 50th Annual Arlee Fourth of July Parade, revolted of the government imposed parade route and moved onto U.S. Highway 93, which is the traditional route.

Thirty five amazing, patriotic, humourous and bucking entries moved east on HWY 93 after years of being relegated to the back streets of Arlee. With frustration of new highway construction brimming over, the masses celebrated freedom straight up HWY 93 to the parade theme “Freedom Built Upon Sacrifice”.

 Awarded to the Morin, Morin-Ferguson and Pfau grandkids was the Best Use of Theme trophy. Their float depicted solders battling, Red Cross doctors and nurses attending the wounded and the Statute of Liberty escorted by soldier Jesse Pfau wearing his grandfather Lyle Adamson’s military uniform from the Korean War.

The Grand Prize trophy went to the Adams family float complete with a tepee, burning campfire and Native American outfits.

The Float Prize was awarded to the O’Neill/Marks family float depicting various patriotic themes including a smiling, waving Uncle Sam.

Two outstanding women served as grand marshalls. Sister Joan Bartin and Sister Dolores Shortall have served as Sisters in the Catholic Church in the Arlee/Mission Valleys collectively for over 50 years.  The Community was pleased to honor them as Grand Marshals.

The Commercial trophy went to, Arlee Rodeo (naked boys in a make shift pickup hot tub). Second place was The Cool Truck.

The Clubs and Organizations’ trophies went to the Tribal Health Department, and second place was Jocko Valley Library. First place winners in the Indian Outfit (Group) was Adrian Mahseelah Family. Indian Outfit (Adult) was won by Adams Family. Austin and Nelson family won the Indian Outfit (Youth).

Western Outfit (Group) was won by the Gillette and Sykes family with a wagon pulled by a team of mules in memory of their beloved Dean Gillette. Second place was the Schall family with 14 mounted on horses and the rest of the family in their Mustang car.

Western Outfit (Adult) was won by Wes and Carol Sue Mapston with their son Grey and grandchild Colt winning second place.

Austin and Nelson family won the Indian Outfit (Youth) Cody and Cole Cordis won the Western Outfit (Youth) with the Bertollt family taking second place.

Novelty/Humorous (Adult) first place was won by Jim Pablo and second place was won by Denny Orr. Novelty/ Humorous (Youth) was won by the Outoupalik family and second place was Calli (Mapston) Schmutz and Kara Mapston. The O’Neill and Marks family won first place in the Novelty/Humorous (child) with Conner and Cade Schmutz taking second place. The Disabled Veterans Banner Bearers were first in the Novelty/Humorous category and Paul Kirchman was second. The Morin and Morin-Ferguson families were first place in the Patriotic category followed by the Big Sam family in second place.

Judges for the parade were Cathy Whetzel, Sharon Stevens and Greg Willoughby.

-Courtesy of Tracey Morin