POST FALLS — The Coeur d’Alene Tribe set the tone for The Early Years Historical Food Festival in Post Falls on Saturday as part of the America250 festivities.  

The event for foodies and history lovers alike came about through a partnership with the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center, and the city of Post Falls. 

Christina Petit, president and CEO of the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce, said the most moving moment in the opening ceremonies was when one of the drummers reminded the crowd of the importance of sharing traditions and culture.

“They were taken to schools and they were not allowed to speak their language and they were not allowed to dance and they were not allowed to make music,” Petit said. “There were many people in the audience who teared up, it was very special.” 

Just shy of 200 attended the festival.

Yvette Matt, marketing director for Coeur d’Alene Casino, said she and other dancers shared their talents as a kind of benediction.

“It’s all based on prayer. When we have our powwows, we’re dancing for ourselves, for our families, for our community. Anybody who hears our song and our dance, it’s actually a prayer for them as well,” Matt said. “It’s very traditional, it’s very cultural, it’s very encompassing of our community. It brings us all together for love and joy and celebration.” 

The Coeur d’Alene reservation used to encompass Post Falls, and taking part in the cultural festival felt right as a way to share their roots with the larger community. 

“We used to fish right there in the Spokane River and for years, we had our powwow there,” Matt said.

To educate the audience and bridge the links between the past and the present, Matt said the discussion of the history also includes information about different dance styles, the regalia they wear, how those dance styles came about, what the significance is and ultimately why dance, singing and drumming are integral to the identity and traditions of the Tribe. 

“We realized a long time ago that the best people to tell our stories and our history was us,” Matt said. 

The food festival hosted seven food vendors, each highlighting a different era of cuisine. One of those featured dehydrated bison prepared by Chef Alex Santos-Cucalon, executive chef at Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel. 

“In our culture specifically, we’ve been taught if we have extra to share,” Matt said.  

After recently starting a program with dry aging, Matt said the event was a great way to showcase honoring the use of traditional bison meat with new natural processes to be as organic as possible. 

“That goes back to the olden days. It’s not our tradition, but it’s linked to the land,” Matt said. 

    Dancers from different generations took to the stage during the opening ceremonies of the Post Falls - The Early Years Historical Food Festival.