Otoe-Missouria Summer Encampment Readies

By HEATHER PAYNE

Otoe-Missouria

Public Information Office

RED ROCK — On Thursday, July 19 the Otoe-Missouria people will gather at their historic powwow grounds in Red Rock for the 137th Annual Otoe-Missouria Summer Encampment.

This four-day powwow, draws large crowds to the small north central Oklahoma reservation located 27 miles North of Stillwater. It is the largest gathering of Otoe-Missouria tribal members and descendants and one that many people look forward to with anticipation.

This year’s powwow

will include the Mourners Dinner on Wednesday evening at the powwow arena followed by a Handgame. Thursday the 2018 Otoe-Missouria Tribal Princess Breanna Kihega will be crowned at the arena. There will be Gourd dancing beginning at 2 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Contest and social dances are scheduled Friday through Sunday evening with Grand Entry each night at 7 p.m.

For the young and young at heart, there are several events planned for Saturday,

July 21. The day kicks off with the Nimaha Unange Mud Run at 8 a.m. behind the 7 Clans Paradise Casino in Red Rock. The Horseshoe Tournament starts at 10 a.m. at the campgrounds. Kid’s games and turtle races are scheduled at 10 a.m. at the arena.

Although he has decades of experience, this will be the first time that Encampment Committee Chairman Donnie Childs will oversee the entire event.

“I have been blessed to

get my traditional education from two of the best teachers that I know of, my parents, Hank and Marie Childs,” Childs says. “With over 30 years of experience either as chairman or working with other committees they have blessed me with knowledge to carry on our traditional Otoe-Missouria encampment.”

Childs and his committee invite everyone to attend this year’s Otoe-Missouria Summer Encampment.

“The encampment committee would like to welcome all relatives and guest to come

dance, sing and eat with us,” Childs says. “My committee and I have prepared and worked hard all year to bring this moment to fruition and we hope we can give everyone a week of celebration that they will remember for years to come.”

The Otoe-Missouria Encampment Grounds are located south of 7 Clans Paradise Casino, 7500 HWY 177, Red Rock, OK 74651. A schedule of events and dance categories is available online at www.omtribe.org. Follow the committee on Facebook @2018OtoeMissouriaEncampment.