Articles and Stories
Angelika Ursula Dietrich
August 18, 2023
2022 NEZ PERCE ENCAMPMENT
A Reunion of Tradition, Pride, and Friendship
With temperatures close to 100 degrees,
Nez Perce tribal members and visitors gathered in Joseph east of the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena to share the Nez Perce’s culture and traditions during the last day of Chief Joseph Days.
Following the Grand Parade, the Nez Perce and Chief Joseph Days Encampment committees set up for a Friendship Feast that will tell beautiful stories for a long time.
As always, the food was plentiful and delicious. Served by members of the committees and countless volunteers, Salmon, buffalo burgers, Indian fry bread, and an abundance of side dishes were on the menu.
Following the Grand Parade, the Nez Perce and Chief Joseph Days Encampment committees set up for a Friendship Feast that will tell beautiful stories for a long time.
As always, the food was plentiful and delicious. Served by members of the committees and countless volunteers, Salmon, buffalo burgers, Indian fry bread, and an abundance of side dishes were on the menu.
Dance Competitions
Following the Friendship Feast, dancers get dressed in bright colored, handmade regalia.
Each dance session begins with a Grand Entry, including a procession of dancers. Everyone is asked to stand during the Grand Entry. After all the dancers are in the Arbor, a flag song is sung to honor the Eagle Staff and flags.
When the drums begin to play after the grand entry, the dancers have a chance to participate in some warm-up dancing before the competition starts.
Following the Friendship Feast, dancers get dressed in bright colored, handmade regalia.
Each dance session begins with a Grand Entry, including a procession of dancers. Everyone is asked to stand during the Grand Entry. After all the dancers are in the Arbor, a flag song is sung to honor the Eagle Staff and flags.
When the drums begin to play after the grand entry, the dancers have a chance to participate in some warm-up dancing before the competition starts.
PowWows are an important part of the Native American culture. It is the Native American people’s way of getting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships, and making new ones. It is a time to renew Native American culture and preserve the rich heritage of American Indians who have lived in the Americas for thousands of years.
Encampment Highlight Gallery
Pictures are available to dancers and their families only. Click here to access the galleries and instructions to receive password.
The pictures in this gallery reflect only the highlights from the event. Pictures are not for sale, but are donated back to the Nez Perce Tribe
~ Angelika Ursula Dietrich – Wild Horses Thunder ~
Large PowWow etiquette: Each dance session begins with a Grand Entry, including a procession of dancers. The Flag Bearers lead the procession carrying the Eagle Staff, American Flag, The Canadian Flag, and frequently, the MIA-POW Flag. Being a Flag Bearer is an honor usually given to a veteran, a respected traditional dancer, or a traditional elder. Everyone is asked to stand during the Grand Entry and men should remove their head coverings unless it has an eagle feather. After all the dancers are in the Arbor, a flag song is sung to honor the Eagle Staff and flags. Then a respected person, usually an elder, offers a prayer. This is followed by a victory song during which the Eagle Staff and flags are placed in their stands.
The video displayed is from the Grand Entry at Tamkaliks PowWow that always takes place the weekend before Chief Joseph Days.
For more information about the Nez Perce Tribe visit https://nezperce.org
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ANGELIKA URSULA DIETRICH, owner and publisher of Wild Horses Thunder and Wild Horses Media Productions, is a professional Freelance Photographer, Videographer, Publisher, Writer, Social Media Consultant, and Website Developer.
Angelika's photography work has been displayed on the front cover of Idaho Magazine (2022), the Nimiipuu Tribal Tribune, Cowboy Lifestyle Network (2021), Cowboys & Indians (2016 & 2018), and in various Oregon and Washington entertainment and vacation publications, Chief Joseph Days Rodeo Program and website (2012-2020), at Art Gallery Festivals, private businesses, as well as for display advertisement for many clients in and out of Wallowa County including the Wallowa County Chieftain (2003-2007).
Between 2007 and 2009, Angelika worked in radio as the news and sports director for owners Lee and Carol Lee Perkins at KWVR Radio in Enterprise, Oregon. After the station was sold, she created Wallowa Valley Online, an independent online news magazine publishing and writing news and engaging in photojournalism.
After ten years of Wallowa Valley Online, Angelika decided to concentrate more on her photography & video productions, and cover and write human interest stories on Wild Horses Thunder - The studio & journal, and volunteer at the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland.
