Every June, the Fort Peck Reservation in northeastern Montana comes alive with the vibrant sounds and colors of the Red Bottom Celebration, an annual powwow hosted by the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes. Held in Frazer, this cultural event is a tribute to the enduring traditions and rich heritage of the Native American tribes in the region. The Red Bottom Celebration has been an annual powwow for over 100 years, celebrating native culture and traditions through dancing, food, crafts and fellowship of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes on the Fort Peck Reservation in northeastern Montana.
This celebration is deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of the Tribes and serves as a time for community members to come together to honor their traditions, history and spirituality. The Red Bottom Celebration typically includes traditional dancing, drumming, singing and storytelling. It may also feature competitions, games, arts and crafts vendors and traditional food.
The name "Red Bottom" likely refers to the red earth found in the region, which holds cultural significance for the Assiniboine and Sioux Peoples.
Celebrations like the Red Bottom Celebration play a vital role in preserving and revitalizing the cultural heritage of Native American communities. They provide opportunities for intergenerational learning, strengthening community bonds and sharing traditions with the wider public.
Accommodations can be found in nearby towns such as Wolf Point and Glasgow. An Amtrak station in Wolf Point is conveniently located about 30 miles east of Frazer. The nearest airport is Billings Logan International Airport, approximately 250 miles southwest of Frazer. While in the area, visitors can explore the nearby Fort Peck Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, offering opportunities for boating, fishing and camping.
Crow Native Days is a week-long festival that takes place each summer, attracting visitors from far and wide who are eager to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Crow Tribe. Held in the last week of June, for over 70 years, this event showcases many activities, including traditional dances, music performances, art exhibitions, rodeos and the highly anticipated Indian Relay Race. The Crow Tribe, also known as the Apsáalooke People, has a long and storied history, and Crow Native Days serves as a platform to honor and preserve their traditions. Crow Native Days are held at the Crow Agency powwow grounds against the breathtaking scenery of Big Sky Country in Montana.
One of the highlights of Crow Native Days is the Indian Relay Race, a thrilling equestrian sport that originated among the Plains Indians. The race involves teams of three riders who compete in a relay-style event, showcasing their horsemanship skills and agility. Spectators can feel the excitement as the riders thunder past, swiftly changing horses at each lap. The Indian Relay Race combines speed, strategy, and teamwork, making it a spectacle not to be missed. Dressed in colorful regalia, the riders represent their respective tribes with pride and honor. The pounding of hooves and the spirited cheers from the crowd create an electrifying atmosphere, immersing spectators in the heart-pounding action. As the teams race towards the finish line, you can feel the intensity and passion that fuels this incredible sporting event.
Crow Agency is also steeped in history, being the site of the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, just a few miles away, where visitors can learn about the famous battle and its significance. The Bighorn National Forest is approximately 60 miles south for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wealth of hiking trails, camping sites and stunning vistas. The Pryor Mountains, about 40 miles to the west, provide additional opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Visitors to Crow Native Days will find a range of accommodations in nearby Hardin, just 15 miles to the north of Crow Agency. Travelers can reach Crow Native Days via Billings Logan International Airport, 65 miles northwest of Crow Agency. The nearest Amtrak station is also in Billings, where visitors can travel by train.
The Badlands Celebration in Brockton, Montana, is a vibrant cultural festival hosted by the Fort Peck Tribes. This annual showcase of Native American heritage, drawing visitors to the northeastern plains of Montana for a weekend of dance, music and community spirit.
Set against the stark beauty of the Montana badlands, the celebration offers a stunning landscape of rugged, eroded hills and vast open skies. The Fort Peck Tribes, composed of Assiniboine and Sioux nations, welcome guests to experience their rich traditions in this breathtaking setting.
The Badlands Celebration in Brockton, Montana, is an annual event celebrating Native American culture and traditions through traditional dancing, mouthwatering cuisine and artisan crafts. Attendees enjoy a sensory experience, immersing themselves in the depth and beauty of Indigenous heritage while forging connections through shared experiences and cultural appreciation.
This vibrant celebration serves as a cultural oasis, inviting visitors to engage with and honor the rich traditions of Native American peoples. Through dancing, food, and crafts, attendees share in Indigenous communities' resilience, pride and unity, fostering connections that celebrate the Tribes' cultural legacy.
Accommodations for the Badlands Celebration are available in nearby towns such as Wolf Point and Poplar. Brockton is located in the northeastern corner of Montana. Billings Logan International Airport is the nearest airport. For those traveling by train, the Amtrak station in Wolf Point offers a convenient gateway to the area.
Each summer, the town of Fort Belknap, Montana, hosts the Milk River Indian Days, a vibrant celebration celebration rooted in the cultural heritage of the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes. Held in late July, this three-day powwow has been a cherished tradition for over 50 years, bringing together participants and spectators from across the region for a weekend of dance, music, and community.
The Milk River Indian Days occur at the Fort Belknap Reservation, home to the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre Tribes. The powwow grounds, set against the sweeping vistas of Montana's plains and the nearby Bear Paw Mountains, offer a scenic backdrop for the festivities. The powwow dazzles attendees with spirited dancers adorned in colorful regalia and the rhythmic beats of traditional drummers. This gathering serves not only as a showcase of Native American culture but also as a unifying force, bringing together community members and visitors in a shared celebration of identity and heritage.
The Annual Milk River Indian Days celebration will take place from July 25 to 28, 2024, with the youth powwow kicking off the festivities on Thursday, July 25.
Organizers reintroduce special contests to demonstrate a commitment to continually enriching the event experience, fostering an atmosphere of excitement and camaraderie among participants. Through dance, music, and various cultural activities, Milk River Indian Days stands as a testament to the resilience and vibrancy of Indigenous traditions, ensuring their preservation and celebration for generations to come.
Visitors to the Milk River Indian Days will find a range of accommodations in Harlem and the nearby town of Havre, about 45 miles west. Nearby attractions include the Missouri River Breaks National Monument, about 80 miles to the south, where visitors can explore rugged landscapes and rich wildlife. The Little Rocky Mountains, approximately 50 miles away, offer hiking and vistas of the Montana wilderness.
Great Falls International Airport is the nearest airport, 180 miles southwest of Harlem. The nearest Amtrak station is in Havre, 45 miles to the west, for those preferring to travel by train.
The oldest traditional powwow in Montana, exemplified by the Wadopana Celebration in Wolf Point, holds a profound significance within the Native American community. Hosted by the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, special ceremonies held during this event include naming individuals and honoring family members who serve as pillars of cultural preservation and spiritual connection. The celebration is always the first weekend of August.
Naming ceremonies, steeped in tradition and symbolism, reflect the deep-rooted reverence for ancestry and identity within Indigenous cultures. These rituals bestow individuals with meaningful names and reinforce their ties to their heritage and community, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity across generations. Similarly, ceremonies to honor family members underscore the importance of kinship and communal support, recognizing the invaluable contributions of relatives and strengthening the bonds that unite the community as a whole.
The celebration in Wolf Point is a traditional event with no judging or individual prize money. Saturday is for young people and includes games, runs/walks, and many outdoor activities. Through these ceremonies and events, the Wadopana Celebration not only celebrates Native American culture but also perpetuates its rich traditions, values and customs for future generations to cherish and uphold.
Wolf Point is a county seat in northeastern Montana where Wolf Creek flows into the Missouri River. It is part of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, which is home to two American Indian nations, each composed of numerous bands and divisions.
Each August, the hills surrounding the Little Big Horn River in Montana are transformed into the "teepee capital of the world," with thousands of traditional camps, hundreds of horses, and throngs of participants all gathered for the revelry of the Crow Fair and Rodeo. Now in its 98th year, the festival is one of the largest gatherings of American Indians in the United States and is held each year to celebrate family, heritage, and native pride. The event boasts spectacular traditional regalia, nearly 1,500 teepees pitched on the river banks, dance competitions featuring Crow, also known as Apsaalooke, tribal members and countless other tribes across the nation, traditional artwork and other vendors, a rodeo and much more. Crow Fair is open to the public; spectators are welcome during all seven days of the event. Event organizers offer both day and weekend passes for adults and children. Enrolled members of any Indian tribe are admitted free to all events.
The annual event includes:
- Crow-only dances
- National powwow dances and competitions
- All-Indian rodeo
- Indian relay horse races
- Crow Fair Parade
Crow Agency is also steeped in history, being the site of the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, just a few miles away, where visitors can learn about the famous battle and its significance. The Bighorn National Forest is approximately 60 miles south for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wealth of hiking trails, camping sites and stunning vistas. The Pryor Mountains, about 40 miles to the west, provide additional opportunities for outdoor adventures.
Visitors to Crow Native Days will find a range of accommodations in nearby Hardin, just 15 miles to the north of Crow Agency. Travelers can reach Crow Native Days via Billings Logan International Airport, 65 miles northwest of Crow Agency. The nearest Amtrak station is also in Billings, where visitors can travel by train.
The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes Turns Around Celebration in Poplar, Montana, is a vibrant event that proudly showcases Native American culture and heritage. With a rich tapestry of traditions woven into its fabric, the Celebration brings together community members and visitors to partake in various cultural experiences. From the rhythmic beats of traditional drum groups to the mesmerizing movements of dancers adorned in vibrant regalia, the event resonates with the spirit of unity and pride as participants honor their ancestral roots through music, storytelling and dance.
Throughout the weekend-long festivities, attendees can immerse themselves in the rich oral traditions of the Native American peoples as elders and storytellers share myths, legends and histories passed down through generations. Against the backdrop of American Legion Park, the Turns Around Celebration serves not only as a platform for cultural expression but also as a vital thread that strengthens the bonds of community and fosters a deeper appreciation for the diverse tapestry of Native American heritage.
The Fort Peck Reservation is home to two American Indian Nations, each composed of numerous bands and divisions. The Turns Around Celebration is held on the third weekend of August. The Reservation is located in Montana's extreme northeast corner, on the Missouri River's north side.
The Fort Kipp Celebration Pow Wow, hosted by the Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes, is a vibrant event and a great way to experience Native American culture and tradition. The powwow grounds are set against Montana's rolling plains and big skies, creating a stunning landscape for this cultural gathering. The event is hosted by the Fort Peck Tribes, including the Assiniboine and Sioux nations, who have lived in this region for centuries, preserving their traditions and sharing them with the world. As the rhythmic beat of drums fills the air, dancers adorned in colorful regalia enter the arena for the Grand Entry, marking the beginning of a spirited gathering.
Throughout the event, attendees are treated to mesmerizing displays of traditional dancing, with each step and movement telling a story of resilience, heritage and community. From the graceful swirls of the women's fancy shawl dance to the powerful stomps of the men's traditional dance, the Pow Wow showcases the diversity and beauty of indigenous dance styles.
Amidst the rhythmic melodies, the Pow Wow grounds come alive with the sights and sounds of indigenous arts and crafts. Booths adorned with intricate beadwork, handcrafted jewelry, and pottery offer a glimpse into the creativity and craftsmanship of Native artisans. Meanwhile, the tantalizing aroma of traditional foods wafts through the air, enticing attendees to sample frybread, Indian tacos and other culinary delights steeped in indigenous flavors.
As families gather, friendships are forged, and cultural connections are strengthened, the Fort Kipp Celebration Pow Wow serves as a powerful testament to the resilience, pride and unity of Native American communities, welcoming all to join in celebrating heritage and tradition. The Fort Kipp Celebration Pow Wow is held on the fourth weekend of August.
Located near the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, the Fort Kipp Powwow is accessible via the nearest airport, Billings Logan International Airport, approximately 200 miles away. For those traveling by rail, the Amtrak station in Wolf Point offers a convenient gateway to the event.
Every Fourth of July, the town of Arlee, Montana, bursts into vibrant celebration with the annual Arlee Celebration, hosted by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Held in the scenic Mission Valley of Montana, the Arlee Celebration showcases indigenous culture, featuring traditional dances, tribal games, arts and crafts and a strong sense of community. If you're seeking an authentic experience that honors Native American traditions, this event should not be missed!
Held at the Arlee Powwow Grounds, this event has been a cornerstone of cultural heritage for over 120 years, making it one of the oldest and most significant powwows in the region. The grounds come alive with the rhythmic beats of the drums and the mesmerizing movements of the dancers in colorful regalia. Spectators have the honor of witnessing various dance styles, including the lively intertribal dance, the men's fancy dance, the graceful women's jingle dance and the powerful men's grass dance, among others.
From the stick game to the exhilarating horse races, these events pay homage to the tribes' ancestral pastimes and the spirit of unity that comes with friendly rivalry. Visitors can witness the athleticism and camaraderie that define these age-old contests. This exchange and appreciation for cultural diversity strengthens the community and enriches the experience. Come join the festivities, connect with the past and celebrate the present at the Arlee Celebration!
Camping is available on the celebration grounds; hotels and motels can be found in Missoula, approximately 20 miles south of Arlee. Natural wonders provide opportunities for hiking, fishing and exploring the great outdoors. The Lolo National Forest is just 30 miles to the southwest. has extensive hiking trails and scenic vistas. The Flathead National Forest, 50 miles north, offers trails that access mountain lakes, peaks and valleys.