ARLEE — Fourth of July is arguably the biggest week of the summer in the little town of Arlee, nestled beneath the rolling hills on the south end of Lake County. Every year, visitors from across the country converge on the Arlee powwow grounds for the annual Arlee Celebration.

This was the event’s 114th year, unofficially. According to the event’s organizers, in the 1890s, traditional Indian dances were illegal under the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Dances were held secretly until, historians believe, the year 1898.

ARLEE — Fourth of July is arguably the biggest week of the summer in the little town of Arlee, nestled beneath the rolling hills on the south end of Lake County. Every year, visitors from across the country converge on the Arlee powwow grounds for the annual Arlee Celebration.

This was the event’s 114th year, unofficially. According to the event’s organizers, in the 1890s, traditional Indian dances were illegal under the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Dances were held secretly until, historians believe, the year 1898.

Regardless of when it started, the Arlee Celebration has since become one of the nation’s premiere powwow events, proudly honoring Native American history and proud culture among crafts, food, spectacular singing, and of course, dancing.

Festivities kicked off on July 3 with campers’ arrival and a memorial stick game. Dancing began on Wednesday with the Snake Dance, and traditional songs, like the Scalp Dance, War Dance, Canvas Dance and Gift Dance were emphasized, as was the old style regalia that has largely been lost over time but is now returning to the dance floor.

Competition went through Friday, Saturday and Sunday, drawing hundreds of competitors and many more spectators to the arena.

“Thank you all, so much, for being here,” Tribal elder and event chairman Alec Quequesah told the crowd before Friday’s Grand Entry. “It makes me so happy to see you all.”

On Saturday, Eva Boyd, Madeline Isaac Finley, Johnny Arlee and Stephen Small Salmon were honored by the powwow committee for their continued efforts to preserve the language, crafts, song and dance, which are all integral to the proud Native American heritage on the Flathead Reservation.

53rd Annual Arlee Fourth of July Parade

Bravery was on bold and beautiful display at Arlee’s 53rd Annual Fourth of July Parade on Friday night. At high noon, two United States F-15 fighter jets started the parade and honored Arlee with a loud and low fly-over above the parade route down U.S. Highway 93. Our hearts were – literally – touched way down low with the vibrations of pride.

Taking the overall grand prize for their realistic depiction of the WWII Iwo Jima flag-raising were six young ladies; Eden Morin, Geraldine Trahan, Tara Messner, Ashley Tanner, Corey McVicker and Brook Netwig. The brave ladies honored fallen warrior and veteran Louis Charlo who helped to raise the first American flag in victory over Iwo Jima.

Other category winners include: Commercial - first, Shelly Fyant; second, Stockman’s Bar. Clubs and Organizations - first, Arlee fourth grade soccer team, second, Arlee Fire Department. Indian Outfit - Group - first, Matt family. Indian Outfit-Youth - first, Tyler Howe. second, Aspen Hendrickson. Western Outfit-Group - first, Hugh Houle, pack train. Western Outfit-Adult - first, Steve Petry, second, Jack Bowdner. Western Outfit-Youth - first, Gracin O’Connor, second Myrna Bertollt. Novelty adult - first Kyle Felsman, second, Dennis and Susan Black. Novelty youth - first, Dennis Fisher, second (Snow Bunnies) Carney-Lammerding, Welling, O’Neill, Read and Whetzel families. Novelty child - first, Izayah, second, Abby and Austin Baldwin. Novelty small child - first, LeeLee Sansavere. Patriotic - first, Allan Bruce, (Troop Carrier), second, Jennifer Schall family. Vehicle - first, Basil Lefthand, second, Dan Yonkon.

Arlee has long been honored with the presence of two brave men – Louis Adams and Eneas Vanderberg. In small return for their contributions to the Arlee community, the parade committee and Arlee community honored Mr. Adams and Mr. Vanderberg as Grand Marshals.

Judges for the parade were Sharon Stevens, Maureen Talbert and Andrea Eaton.

- Courtesy of Aluaretta Morin