Rocky Boy Powwow and Rodeo
HAVRE
July 31, 2025
This is event of Indian Heritage and tradition.
Rocky Boy is home to members of the Chippewa-Cree Tribe. The Bear Paw Mountains provides a dramatic back drop for the reservation.
The name Rocky Boy was derived from the name of a leader of a band of Chippewa Indians. It actually meant “Stone Child” but it was not translated correctly from Chippewa into English and “Rocky Boy” evolved.
The reservations have special social and cultural events and activities. Tribal Pow Wows and rodeos are social events usually open to the public. When visiting these events and public places such as museums, churches, and tribal facilities, it is important that guests show respect and courtesy. Experience the Rocky Boy Pow Wow, typically the first weekend in August.
Pow Wows are social gatherings featuring generations- old drumming and dancing, and traditional dress and food. Visitors are welcome to Pow Wows. Participants should bring lawn chairs or blankets, since seating is limited at most Pow Wows. Guests may dance during the “Round Dance” (everyone dances in a circle) or when invited by the emcee. It should always be kept in mind that the dance area is sacred. Visitors may also participate by invitation in a “Giveaway”, a ceremony in which a family gives gifts to others to honor a deserving family member.
The gathering is a fascinating marriage of the modern and traditional. Campers, minivans and nylon tents join traditional teepees in forming the camps that encircle the Rocky Boy Powwow grounds.
One look at license plates on nearby cars shows the distances that some come from to be at this celebration. There are vehicles with plates from Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota and Alberta, Canada just to name a few.
Whether the cars belong to powwow dancers, singers and committee people or to the spectators who come to see what's going on, the Rocky Boy Powwow offers best of the fun and excitement of the dance; the sounds of the many singing groups; the smells from the food vendors booths; and everything else that you can expect at one of West's biggest powwows.
