GARDINER, Mont. — The Voices of Yellowstone: First Peoples Celebration will be held from August 4 through August 10 in Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area.
The weeklong series of events, designed to honor and celebrate the Indigenous Peoples of Yellowstone, will include tribal cultural presentations, an art market and native games, among other activities. The celebration is hosted by Yellowstone Forever in partnership with Yellowstone National Park, the Pretty Shield Foundation, Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council and the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center.
The celebration will kick off on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 4 with an opening ceremony that will include a blessing, drumming and opening speeches.
Here’s what to expect throughout the week:
- Illuminated tepees each evening designed in this year’s theme of “building bridges of peace”
- Cultural demonstrations at tepees at Arch Park in Gardiner, Montana
- An indigenous art market located at the Yellowstone Forever headquarters across the street from Arch Park
- An evening of native games hosted on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at Arch Park
- Cultural tours of Yellowstone National Park led by Native American experts
- A community potluck the evening of Friday, Aug. 9 at the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
A closing ceremony on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 10 featuring guest speakers, a drum circle and the final lighting of the illuminated tepees will mark the end of the week’s festivities.
