61st Shoshone-Bannock Indian festival is underway in Fort Hall

FORT HALL, Idaho (KIFI)- The 61st Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival began Thursday at the Shoshone-Bannock Festival Grounds in Fort Hall. The four-day gathering runs through this Sunday under the theme “One people, one purpose, one future.”

The festival originated in August 1964 when then-recreation director Reeves Nawoosky organized a social powwow to celebrate a successful summer of activities. Roselynn Yazzie, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Public Affairs Manager, said the event is free and open to the public. “I would like to warmly welcome everyone to the 61st annual Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival,” Yazzie said. “This is our biggest event of the year.”

High-speed Indian Relay racing serves as a central attraction at the festival. The sport originated on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation more than 100 years ago and is passed down through tribal families. Each four-member team includes one rider, one catcher and two holders who manage three horses during bareback exchanges. Riders must complete a lap with each horse and dismount without assistance or losing control of their animals.

Competitive powwows are held at the Delbert Farmer Festival Arbor. Blackstone, a group from Saskatchewan, Canada, is serving as the host drum for events that draw dancers and drum groups from across North America. Yazzie, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes Public Affairs Manager, noted the diverse attendance. “There are people from as far as Canada. Our host group is from Canada. And they're the Blackstone singers from Saskatchewan, Canada and we have people from everywhere,” Yazzie said.

The festival schedule includes a Children's Day Powwow Thursday night at 7 p.m. Main Grand Entries follow this Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., as well as this Sunday at 1 p.m. Yazzie described the gathering as both a destination for families across Indian country and a “homecoming” for tribal members who live elsewhere. “I grew up dancing and, just kind of traveling with my grandparents all over and I feel like I just love coming to powwow and hearing the music and just being around community and family,” Yazzie said. “So that's my favorite part.”

Two parades are part of the festival itinerary. The Children's Day Parade traveled along Agency Road on Thursday morning. The Main Festival Parade, featuring tribal leadership, community floats and traditional attire, is scheduled for 1 p.m. this Saturday.

Other athletic events include the All-Indian Rodeo and traditional Native games. Indigenous artisans are selling beadwork, leather goods and jewelry, while food vendors are serving local specialties such as frybread and Indian tacos. The event also features royalty pageants to select Miss Shoshone-Bannock and the Festival Princess.

Yazzie explained that this year's theme, “One people, one purpose, one future,” focuses on community wellness and unity. “I hope they feel connected, to this land, this region, to all our people in general,” Yazzie said regarding the visitors. “And I feel especially right now, like we all need to feel, you know, united and, celebrations like these provide those opportunities. And any time you could be a good neighbor, is a great opportunity for you to learn something or maybe walk away with something, an experience you never had before.”

The 61st Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival concludes this Sunday. The final Grand Entry is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Delbert Farmer Festival Arbor. You can find a full schedule of events at https://shobanfestival.com/