The Ronan High School Native American Club traveled to the 37th annual Black Hills Powwow for a unique experience. The celebration in Rapid City was a three-day extravaganza with dancers, singers, artists, and vendors. According to the Visit Rapid City website, the powwow draws in spectators from across the country to honor the spirit of the Great Plains Indigenous Culture. 

With 2,000 registered dancers at the powwow, club president Nevaeh Perez describes the grand entry showcase as spine chilling. The club traveled 12 hours to Rapid City, S.D., bringing 10 students to compete and experience the powwow.  

Perez said she had the opportunity to compete alongside her brother and sister.  

“Not all my family was there, but they were all watching on video, and I got a lot of messages from my family members saying they loved to watch me dance at this powwow, so I thought that was pretty special,” Perez, a senior at Ronan High School, said.  

Devon Big Medicine, a club officer, said South Dakota was the furthest he’s ever traveled to a powwow and it might be his only chance to go. 

“It’s one of the largest powwows in the country, and a lot of these kids don’t have the opportunity to travel that kind of distance, so I told them, ‘If you have the money, I will take you,’” Gwen Couture, the club leader said.  

The club started fundraising last year and was able to raise $6,000 to make the trip possible. Couture explained that the club did presentations at schools off the reservation about their culture. The Office of Public Instruction has invited the students to do multiple conferences and presentations, which has given them a reputation and an opportunity to present their culture to outsiders.  

“When we do our presentations, it's teaching other people around here,” Perez said. “There's a lot of kids that are Native American but don't know much about their background, and it gives them a chance to know a couple things and learn some new things.”  

The RHS students competed in various divisions, which are split by age and gender. According to the Black Hills Powwow website, there were 37 winner circle divisions in 2024. Results are not yet posted from this year's powwow, which was held Oct. 10-12.  

Couture said the club has used their funds for other trips, including a trip to the coast and the University of Utah powwow. With some alumni running the Indian Club at the University of Utah, Couture said the club would like to head down again to support the alumni; and they would like to attend a powwow in the southwest this spring.  

“The club has been growing over the last couple of years, and they've gotten really involved in different events,” Couture said. “I've told them they can do whatever they want, as long as they put the work in to earn the money.”  

Now the students are busy fundraising for the 2025-26 school year by helping the CSKT Division of Fire remove hazardous trees in the Skidoo Lane area off the east shore of Flathead Lake. They currently are raffling off the cord of wood from this project to help pay for future travel expenses. Tickets will be available until Nov. 3.