Women of the Upper Missouri, Traditional Singing And Dancing Featured During Indian Arts Showcase

Traditionalist, storyteller and member of the Three Affiliated Tribes with tribal affiliations at Fort Peck, RuthAnn Swaney will headline the 22nd annual “Indian Arts Showcase” at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site. This special event will take place the weekend of August 3 &4, on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am - 5 pm each day. This event is free.

Swaney will share stories about the journey of Native American women along the upper Missouri. These stories go from their beginning with infancy to becoming grandmothers. “The role of the women was very important to the tribe and Ruth is very knowledgeable about this history. She belongs to a family who continues the traditional ways and is very active in this traditional culture,” stated Ranger Yellow Bird. Swaney will present at 3pm CDT each day.

In addition to Swaney, there will be drum and dance performances daily by the Eagle Feather club from New Town, North Dakota and drum group Tatanka Oyate from Poplar, Montana at 1:00 pm CDT on Saturday and 1:30 pm CDT Sunday. “Tatanka Oyate and the Eagle Feather club have been coming to our Indian Arts Program for the past 10 years now. We are very fortunate to have these two groups continuously participate in our program here. They do a good job showing the Native American culture up close through singing and dance,” said Ranger Yellow Bird. Our programs continue to give some of our visitors an experience they might never get in their lifetime. We are glad they continue to help bring this opportunity to our visitors.”

Native American artisans continue to be part of the program as well, displaying their traditional arts and crafts throughout the day. Their knowledge with traditional arts and crafts continues to be the legacy for the Indian Arts Showcase.

Park hours are from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm CDT daily at Fort Union. Fort Union Trading Post is located 24 miles north of Sidney, Montana and 25 miles southwest of Williston, North Dakota, via highway 1804. While here, visitors are encouraged to tour the reconstructed fort, trade room and Bourgeois house.

For more information on Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site contact the park at 701-572-9083. Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fort-Union-Trading-Post-National-Historic-Site/118231345800.