Story and photos by Anne Morsette

The month of August kicked off with the 2021 Twin Buttes Powwow during the first weekend of the month. It was a warm weekend with cloudy skies and smoky air carried over from neighboring community fires. In the rural town of Twin Buttes, North Dakota, friends, family and visitors from all over gathered to dance, sing, compete, and celebrate all weekend long. For most, the weekend was spent together rather than being distracted by social media as cellphone service dropped out almost completely at the powwow grounds. 

Day one of the powwow was one for the books. A women’s tipi raising contest, sponsored by the Chase family, was held Friday afternoon well before grand entry time. Women ages 18 and over arranged teams of up to four individuals and whichever team raised their tipi the fastest won. There were prizes for first, second, third and fourth place. The team that came in first place was Wind Spirit Spotted Bear, Sierra Spotted Bear, and Danica Burr with a time of five minutes and sixteen seconds.  The second-place team was Jennifer Young Bear, Angie Gillette, Margaret Gates, and Gerts Moran with a time of six minutes and fifty-four seconds. COVID-19 testing was conducted at the powwow grounds in the early afternoon. Grand entry kicked off at 7 o’clock that evening with men, women, and children being led in and around the arena by the color guard and powwow royalty. One of the first events after inter-tribal was the tiny tot special, sponsored by MHA Nation Chairman Mark Fox. 

Twin Buttes is a rather secluded town on Ft. Berthold. It’s quite a distance from the other tribal segments. However, shower rooms were open all weekend long to visitors at the Twin Buttes Hall and community center for those who didn’t visit family or friends’ homes to wash up. Family and memorial feeds were held throughout the weekend as well. Flag raising was every morning at 8/9 o’clock. The flags of Ignacious Spotter Bear, Lester Lone Bear, Elgin Crowsbreast, Albert Little Owl, and Samuel Little Owl were raised over the weekend. Specials for nearly every category were held for the dancers and singers to compete in for their chance to place in the top four and win prize money. The singing contest held the greatest competition with prizes for the top five singers ranging from two grand up to ten thousand dollars.  Judging for the powwow was conducted by C&T Tabulating.

The weekend was filled with fun and friendly competition. For many, Twin Buttes powwow is a sign that the end of summer is near. Many children will retire their regalia for the fall, winter, and spring months as they pick up their backpacks and school supplies for another year of academics; only to come back next powwow season to new outfits as they’ve outgrown the previous one.   Fort Berthold has one more seasonal powwow yet in store for the community this coming weekend. For some, school will have already resumed by the time Little Shell occurs. Twin Buttes is the one to make the most out of weekend long camping, staying up late, and visiting friends from far and near. The weekend provided great quality time spent with one another due to the little to none cell service in the powwow grounds area.