Blackfeet Nation Tribal Festival - Afternoon 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 afternoon activities, beginning with a grand entry of honored leaders and traditional dancers. Gayle introduces the Blackfeet Nation council chairman Tim Davis, who talks about the upcoming National Native American Veterans Memorial and the military service of Native Americans. He then recognizes NMAI Cultural Arts Manager Shawn Termin for her work in bringing Native people to the museum. Next, Miss Blackfeet, Alia Heavyrunner, and two other Blackfeet Royalty talk about their work in representing the Blackfeet people. Highly decorated FBI agent Walter Lamar speaks on the significance of the headdress and Native American regalia. Next, all stand for the flag song and victory song. Women dancers give demonstrations of the Fancy Shawl Dance, the Jingle Dress Dance, and the Women's Traditional Dance. The headdress wearers of the Blackfeet Confederacy perform a headdress dance, and other men's dances follow, including the Buffalo Dance, the Grass Dance, the Men's Traditional Dance, and Prairie Chicken Dance. Finally, the audience is welcomed to join the dancers in a Round Dance.

This afternoon 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.