United Tribes Celebrates 56th Annual Powwow: Many Nations One Drum
Photos taken by, Story written by, and Layout Created by Clayton Sicble-Fox
United Tribes Technical College celebrated their 56th Annual Powwow Sept. 10-13. This is one of UTTC’s most anticipated events of the year, and people from all over the nation come to enjoy and partake.
“Our powwow committee was selected in January (2026), so we have been working to make sure the event was ready,” Judith Redtomahawk, this year’s annual powwow chair said.
“We had to put together our head staff: the MC’s, head man judge, head woman judge, the head drum judge, the auxiliaries, and get everything ready for the event.”
Now in its 56th year, the powwow has been growing since it began, drawing people from across the country. For Indigenous people the UTTC powwow represents uniting as one as this year’s theme was “Many Nations One Drum.”
“United Tribes Powwow has been going on since 73’,” Redtomahawk said. “Other natives from around the country and Canada come to Bismarck to participate every year.
“We’re in a powwow circuit so we all know each other, so it’s always good to see your friends that you haven’t seen in a long time.”
United Tribes Powwow holds a lot of memories for people of all ages.
“I came here probably when I was 17 or 18 years old, and I came here with my boyfriend at the time,” Mary Madelynn Goodwill, a golden age women’s traditional dancer said. “From there on I came here every year. I brought my children, and I raised my children to dance.”
Goodwill spoke about the importance of youth coming to powwows.
“This is culture—it is one of the last bits of culture that they can learn,” Goodwill said. “That’s why we got to gather so we can teach them how to pray … they can learn song, dance and design.”
United Tribes Powwow also marks the beginning for some people.
“This is my first year at tribes,” Mister Mills, a Teen Prairie Chicken Dancer said. “I am enjoying it. It’s a good powwow … I hope to come back next year. I dance and I enjoy it. It also shows people where I come from.”
Mills’ advice for younger people is to keep dancing.
“We’re just going to keep on going for ever and ever,” Goodwill said.
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