What is a memorial at a powwow?

There’s no reason necessarily to dress in black and prepare to express condolences (though it is good to offer a kind word in memory of the departed). In most instances, the person being remembered died months, sometimes even years, before the powwow. There is no body or casket or plot to gather around.

“If you think about it like a remembrance, it’s probably the best way to do it,” said Vincent Gillette, who helped organize a memorial and flag raising at the 55th UTTC International Powwow for his father, G. Russell Gillette, who died on Christmas Day in 2024 at the age of 92. “And it’s not only at powwows, at least in the Northern Plains. If somebody died and they were a good basketball player, they might have a memorial basketball tournament.”

Other memorials could commemorate Natives who were adept at playing pool, horse racing or other skills. The main thing, Gillette stressed, was getting the honored individual special recognition.

“Just so people remember them and you get their name out there, because if people don’t say their name, then they forget who they are.” (Fun fact: Gillette’s dad was originally named George Gillette Jr., but he didn’t like being called “junior” or “George,” so that’s why he changed his name to G. Russell Gillette.)

Memorials are basically short ceremonial presentations done in the name of the deceased, and often include giveaways by their surviving family. These can be traditional items like blankets, ribbon shirts/skirts, moccasins and beadwork, but can also include appliances, toys, home decor and other items the organizers wish to bestow upon attendees.

“I’ve seen anything from horses to cups or silverware or anything like that, anything in between,” said Gillette. “There isn’t a protocol as to what you’re supposed to give away. It’s just whatever you can.”

The giveaway portion may also be divided up among age groups. Elders or children may be invited first to come forward and take an item or two. It’s an unspoken rule that one shouldn’t be greedy or competitive (it’s not Black Friday) and it’s also polite to thank the family or at least nod in appreciation after participating in the giveaway. Another important protocol is to avoid critiquing the items you have acquired, as these have been provided by the deceased’s relatives at their own expense.

The relatives are also responsible for providing contest money toward the memorial specials. These typically range in the hundreds to thousands of dollars.

G. Russell Gillette was a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and a veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force in England during the Korean War. The UTTC International Powwow conducted a flag ceremony in honor of his service on two weekend mornings. His son, Vincent, told Buffalo’s Fire that each time the flag went up, the family fed the veterans present.

“We’ll feed for two days,” said Gillette, noting that many attendees have been traveling from one powwow to the next, so it’s expensive to keep eating out. “We’ll donate to various veterans organizations that show up, so that’s going on as well.”

At many powwow memorials, there will likely be personal stories shared by a relative or surviving spouse at the beginning of the memorial. Sometimes these are coordinated by a speaker or emcee, often with a portrait of the deceased. Emotions range from somber to good-humored, but the tone is always reverent. And while mean-spirited jokes or criticism of the departed person are considered in bad taste, there can also be an honest acknowledgement of their struggles as well.

“He was a practicing alcoholic,” said Gillette of his late father. After sobering up, Gillette’s father helped UTTC students who were struggling with addiction. He worked in chemical dependency counseling and also helped manage a halfway house on campus. Altogether, he became one of the longest serving UTTC employees, marking 45 years there. “So he hopefully made up for all of his misgivings in his early life,” Gillette said.

He added that there’s no standard form of tribute with so many tribes, and it’s not uncommon for people to say very little about the departed person. Sometimes there’ll be a short biography that people will read during the memorial, and other times the reflections will go on.

Memorials may also have a featured dance at the powwow, which will likely be announced by the emcee. Gillette said the memorial competition for his father was a Men’s Traditional Special held over Friday and Saturday nights, with roughly 60 dancers. Another memorial special was held for Thomas Red Bird Sr., who grew up on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and worked as a resident assistant and educator at UTTC and Sitting Bull College until he died in July 2024 at the age of 72. And a memorial hat and boot special was held in memory of Alvin High Elk, a UTTC graduate of 1969 from the Cheyenne River Reservation and a founding member of the UTTC International Powwow who died in 2023 at 77. The contest was an all-ages competition with a $1,000 “winner take all” award.

Beyond the contest and prizes, the main emphasis of a memorial is honoring the deceased with reverence. It’s a good time for many to reflect on the role someone served within their community, and to ask oneself: What can I do to help others in the time I have left on Mother Earth?