WORLEY - Three performers stepped onto the stage. When the drumming began, the dancers moved.

They tilted toward the earth, their elbows bent at right angles, their heads turning from side to side. Their traditional American Indian regalia jingled as their pheasant and eagle feathers bounced to the rhythm of the drums.

One of the dancers, Coeur d'Alene Tribe member Mark Ramos, had not performed the men's Prairie Chicken Dance since he was a little boy, a memory that came to him when he painted his face before the performance.

"The last time I chicken danced was '71 when I was at Soap Lake. I was 5, it was a long time ago," Ramos said. "It was nice to dance in front of everybody. Like I said, it was an honor to do it for the first time in 44 years."

Ramos, who is a descendent of the Colville and Spokane Indian tribes, was among a select number of performers who shared their native traditions Saturday evening during the inaugural "Cultural Experience" on the grounds of the Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort and Hotel.

The Coeur d'Alene Casino's Cultural Affairs Director Quanah Matheson explained the symbolism of the Prairie Chicken Dance.

"This dance came at a time when a young man was having a hard time and a prairie chicken came to him, and a song came to the people for our tribe," he said. "At that time, he was gifted that medicine song and its medicine dance to bring to our people to make them feel better, to bring hope, to bring goodness into our tribe."

Chinook Meadow was full of spectators who gathered to witness the new summer tradition, which was a celebration of American Indian heritage as well as community togetherness.

"It's not about me, it's not about the Tribe, it's about us," Matheson said to the crowd. "Celebration is the highest form of unity."

The evening began with a horse and rider in regalia who slowly rode in a circle around the tent of people as a display of honor and blessing to those within. A prayer was said by Felix Aripa, the last living Coeur d'Alene Tribe member who served in World War II. Aripa remarked later in the evening how the Cultural Experience brought back memories for him.

"In the late '20s, early '30s in Plummer, where the mill is at, that's where they'd gather," he said. "They'd have all kinds of (activities) ... and at nighttime they'd have war dancing."

Liz Miller and Patti Flor, both of Coeur d'Alene, attended the Cultural Experience and wished it would have lasted longer than an hour.

"I love this culture," said Flor, of Coeur d'Alene. "I think that the reason for interacting is the information. The more information that people get and the more education they get, the more people are inclined to be accepting and loving of other cultures."

"And more aware," Miller added. "I love this culture too."

Aripa's granddaughter, Idaho State Representative Paulette Jordan, warmly honored her grandfather by describing him as her "teacher." She said the Cultural Experience is an important event for the community and the Tribe.

"We want to do it four times per year to represent the four seasons," Jordan said. "It represents a lot of medicinal value to our people."

The evening included the women's Root Dance performed by four young ladies, words from casino CEO David Matheson, a contemporary dubstep performance that combined modern dance with tribal flutes and gifts of salmon and huckleberry jam.

"When someone comes into your house you welcome them home and give them a gift of friendship, laughter, prayer, water, food .... whatever it is, from your heart," Quanah said. He spoke of treating everyone who enters your home as a relative, and how events like the Cultural Experience open the lines of communication and understanding throughout the Tribe and the community.

"It is about us, we, in unity with one another," he said. "In order for us to understand one another, we have to experience what it is like to be in each other's culture, even if for an hour. It is important for people to celebrate together to know each other."