Blackfeet Nation Tribal Festival - Opening Event and Dances

The Blackfeet Nation of northern Montana celebrate their people in this two-day festival at the National Museum of the American Indian. Gayle Skunkcap (Blackfeet) is the announcer and emcee throughout the morning activities, beginning with a grand entry of honored leaders and traditional dancers. Chief Earl Old Person welcomes the festival attendees. Walter Lamar (Blackfeet) introduces National Museum of the American Indian Director Kevin Gover (Pawnee) who welcomes the Blackfeet people and the festival attendees to the museum. Director Gover presents Blackfeet Nation Tribal Chairman Tim Davis with a plaque and Mr. Davis presents Kevin Gover with a gift. Walter Lamar also honors John Buffington of the Luce Foundation for their support of the festival. The Blackfeet Royalty introduce themselves, and the people rise to the Blackfeet Flag Song. Next, dancers demonstrate several women's dances, including the Fancy Shawl Dance, the Jingle Dress Dance, and Women's Traditional dance. Several headdress wearing leaders dance to the flag song as audience members honor them. Then, dancers demonstrate several men's dances, include the Grass Dance, Men's Traditional, and the Prairie Chicken Dance. Finally, the audience is welcomed to join the dancers in a Round Dance.
This morning presentation of the two-day festival was webcast and recorded in the Potomac Atrium of the National Museum of the American Indian on November 16, 2019.