Drums and voices rang out over the homes around Cherry Valley Elementary during the June 1 end of the year powwow. On the school’s playground, students danced around performers dressed in traditional regalia while parents and teachers sat on the side, herding students and encouraging them all to participate.

The event was put on to bring family members to the school and to give the students a fun activity at the end of the educational year. 

Cherry Valley Principal Brent Benkelman said this is the second time this year that a powwow has taken place at the school, and he is happy to host the events. 

The event was put together by Cherry Valley teacher, Molly Billedeaux, and hosted multiple dancers and the drum group Silent Hill Crew. 

Naomi Billedeaux, Molly’s cousin, brought the dancers together to participate in the powwow. Billedeaux’s goal with bringing these dancers together goes far beyond entertainment.

“We want to seek to be a bridge builder between nations,” she said. “I see dancing as a good bridge.” 

Billedeaux said that her goals are to educate communities on the reservation. She hosts a dance class at the People’s Center in Pablo and looks to bring in more than just Native Americans. 

Billedeaux worked as a social worker prior to teaching dance and saw the effects of integrating her culture into her work on a daily basis and learned the importance of taking pride in one’s culture and history. “There is research-based evidence showing when kids get involved in their native culture, they are less likely to use drugs and alcohol.” 

All the adult dancers at the Cherry Valley powwow were members of the CSKT, a point that Billedeaux emphasized because of their connection to the area. 

There were multiple types of dances at the event, ranging from traditional men and women’s dances, chicken dance, fancy dances, and the women’s jingle dress dance.

Billedeaux sees events like the one at Cherry Valley as opportunities to bring kids together and teach them more about the culture on the Flathead Indian Reservation and hopes that giving the community’s youth these opportunities will get them involved. 

Ultimately, she hopes that bringing a community of people together will keep kids away from trouble. 

“Community connections are a big part of kids and teens remaining drug free,” she said.