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Native American Weekend
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online here or at the gate.
One‑day general admission (any day): $10.00 All‑weekend admission (all three days): $25.00
Admission includes access to workshops, presentations, art and regalia displays, vendors, and more.
Please note: some workshops may require a small supply fee.
Traditional Native American Dance Demonstrations All Weekend
Wartime Dance
The Wartime or War Dance honors bravery and the spirit of the warrior. Once performed to prepare for battle or celebrate victory, it now serves as a vibrant expression of pride, endurance, and cultural identity. The strong, deliberate steps and colorful regalia convey courage and respect for ancestors.
Chicken Dance
Inspired by the movements of the prairie chicken, this dance reflects the bird’s graceful courtship display and deep connection to the land. Dancers mimic the proud, rhythmic steps and gestures of the prairie chicken, celebrating balance, awareness, and the harmony between people and nature.
Grass Dance
Grass Dance
Originating among warrior societies of the Northern Plains, the Grass Dance is known for its flowing, symmetrical movements that imitate the swaying of prairie grass in the wind. Traditionally, dancers blessed and flattened the grass before ceremonies, symbolizing preparation, healing, and respect for the earth.
Featured Guest: Henry Real Bird (Apsáalooke – Crow Nation)
We are honored to welcome Henry Real Bird, an acclaimed Apsáalooke (Crow) poet, cultural educator, horseman, and former Montana Poet Laureate, to lead our opening ceremonies for Native American Weekend.
Friday Evening – Tipi Raising, Smudging, and Opening Prayer
Henry Real Bird will begin our weekend with a traditional tipi raising, followed by smudging and an opening prayer to ground our gathering in respect, gratitude, and cultural understanding. His presence brings deep authenticity and spiritual significance to this shared experience.
About Henry Real Bird
Henry Real Bird is widely recognized for his lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing Apsáalooke language, stories, and horsemanship traditions. His credentials include:
- Montana Poet Laureate (2009–2011)
- Award‑winning author and poet, with works featured nationally and internationally
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recipient for his contributions to Native literature
- Longtime educator, youth mentor, and advocate for Indigenous language revitalization
- Renowned horseman, known for his work connecting youth to cultural identity through horses
- Cultural ambassador, frequently invited to speak, teach, and perform across the country
Henry’s storytelling, humor, and generosity of spirit make him a beloved figure in Native arts and education.
Saturday Highlights:
Featuring Henry Real Bird and his wife, Cheryl, sharing songs, stories, dance, and traditional dream
Henry Real Bird will be speaking, dancing, and leading children’s cultural activities all day long on Saturday—songs, stories, games, and more. Cheryl Real Bird will host beautiful dream catcher and dream weaving workshops. Bring the family and enjoy a day of culture and connection.
Native American Women Warriors — Weekend Presenters
The Native American Women Warriors (NAWW)—the nation’s first all‑women Native American color guard—will be with us throughout the weekend. NAWW is a nonprofit organization of Native women veterans representing tribes from across the United States, dedicated to honoring the long, often overlooked legacy of Indigenous women in military service. Founded in 2010, they blend military tradition with cultural identity, presenting in their signature jingle‑dress regalia as a symbol of healing, honor, and resilience.
Across all three days of Native American Weekend, NAWW will offer powerful storytelling, ceremonial color‑guard presentations, and meaningful insight into the strength, service, and leadership of Native American women.
They will also present a traditional tipi‑raising demonstration, sharing their cultural perspectives and explaining the significance of the process through the lens of three different tribal traditions. Guests are welcome to watch, learn, and ask questions during this hands‑on cultural experience.
Meet Cedar Rose Bulltail — Wildcrafter & Founder of Cedar Rose Creations LLC
Cedar Rose Bulltail is a traditional wildcrafter who gathers and prepares medicinal plants with deep respect for the land, the seasons, and the teachings passed down through generations. Her work centers on harvesting native plants in the wild and transforming them into healing, small‑batch products that honor both cultural knowledge and natural wellness.
Every item she creates is hand‑picked, wild‑harvested, and handcrafted. Her ingredients come directly from the Crow Reservation and the public lands of Montana, reflecting a living connection to place, tradition, and ecological stewardship.
Through Cedar Rose Creations LLC, she offers a wide range of natural body‑care and wellness items, including:
- Soaps and moisturizers
- Bath and shower bombs
- Body sugar scrubs
- Body butters
- Seasonal herbal teas
- Pomades and salves
Cedar Rose will be presenting a one‑hour session on Utilizing Medicinal Plants on Saturday. She will share insights into plant identification, respectful harvesting practices, traditional uses, and the healing properties of native botanicals.
Odessa Oldham
A fifth‑generation Navajo artist and business owner will be teaching several classes during Native American Weekend. Raised on the Navajo Nation and rooted in a long family tradition of silversmiths and craftsmen, she began jewelry making at 18 and continues to carry forward the teachings passed down by her mother, grandmother, and extended family. Odessa remains closely connected to her home communities of Window Rock, Arizona, and Tohatchi, New Mexico, which continue to inspire her work.
Crow Beads by Neta Old Elk
Crow Beads by Neta Old Elk is an Indigenous‑owned art brand deeply rooted in Apsáalooke (Crow) culture, history, and tradition. Each piece is created by artist Neta Old Elk, whose work honors the ancestral beadwork techniques passed down through generations of Apsáalooke women.
Neta’s beadwork reflects the stories, colors, and symbolism of her community—celebrating identity, resilience, and the living legacy of Indigenous artistry. Her designs blend traditional methods with contemporary expression, resulting in pieces that are both culturally grounded and uniquely her own.
To explore more of her work and follow her creative journey, visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/crowbeads
Workshops & Classes Offered at the Event
Native Symbol Silhouette Workshop
Participants will paint a flat wooden horse silhouette inspired by traditional Native American symbols. The class explores how different tribes used markings and colors to tell stories of courage, protection, and connection to the land. Each guest chooses symbols meaningful to them and learns their origins before painting their own keepsake piece.
This workshop honors the diversity of Native traditions while focusing on respect, creativity, and learning. All materials are provided, suitable for all ages