WORLEY — Colorful feathers bounced and jingles jangled in the brilliant new event center, native drums pounding and voices singing.

About 500 dancers, drummers and spectators came together for a powwow on Saturday as the Coeur d’Alene Casino celebrated its 26th anniversary.

“The way that we have been taught is any time that you have any extra — if you’ve got extra food, extra money, any extra clothing — you share it,” said powwow co-chair Yvette Matt. “Because we’ve been blessed to have the casino for 26 years, and we continue to grow and prosper, it’s our teachings to share. And so, we celebrate that we’re still here. We celebrate through our dance and our song.”

The celebration came at the tail end of a renovation overhaul, which upgraded and brightened the casino while adding new features, including the revamped event center which seats 1,450. Matt said the event center upgrade was a bonus.

“(Saturday) was our first actual event in there, and we made it a tribal event,” she said with a smile. “It is 100 percent a birthday, and now we have all new clothes.”

Dancers from tiny tots to experienced elders dressed in traditional regalia as they participated in events such as the Owl Dance and the Rabbit Dance.

Coeur d’Alene and Salish tribal member Leniece Trahan said she dances because “it keeps me happy.”

“This is one of the few things that keeps my spirits up,” she said. “I worked to get where I am right now; I had surgery when I was 12, a full knee replacement, so this is one of my outlets.”

Joe Moses, a Spokane tribal member, danced in a turquoise and black bustle that he made by hand. He has been an active tribal dancer for about 20 years.

“I enjoy it,” he said. “I feel like I’m a good inspiration for some of the young men, a male role model type.”

The day included several vendors, a few prizes and a strong sense of family, community and togetherness as tribal and non-tribal members from across the Northwest and Canada gathered for this joyous occasion.