Turns Around Sees Strong Audiences
The Turns Around Celebration in Poplar typically has strong competition from other powwows in the region. The same was true this year, after a break in 2020. Drum keeper Thomas Denny told the Northern Plains Independent that he was pleasantly surprised by the size of audiences that attended the event.
“We only had two drums because of competing powwows,” said Denny. “I wasn’t expecting that many spectators.” He said most of the attendees and many of the entrants were locally based. The drummers in Poplar this weekend were the Western Dakota Singers from Williston, N.D., and the Badlands crew from Brockton. Treasurer Sharon Red Thunder said that it was challenging to enforce measures intended to combat the ongoing pandemic. She said masks and sanitizers were available and steady reminders to mask up were broadcast throughout the weekend. “If you want to have a pow-wow,” said Red Thunder, “you have to listen the health board. I wear a mask all the time.”
The head man and woman dancers were Cody Eagleman and Julia Young. Singing Above Fasthorse was princess, with Mae’lee Rose Thunderchild serving as second attendant. Jr. Mae Smith was junior princess, Mariah Carpentier was second attendant. The senior traveling princess was Shauna Mea Chase and junior traveling princess was Mystic Young.
In the women’s golden age category, Veronica Serdahl (N.D.) earned first place, Thomasina Mountain Sheep (Idaho) took second and Poplar’s Cheyenne Foote placed third.
In men’s golden age, Frazer’s Mason Runs Through came in first, followed by Wolf Point’s Perry Lilley and Darryl Ricker respectively.
The men’s traditional category saw Fort Kipp’s Jerome Coughlin in front, followed by Jason Grey Hawk of Wolf Point. Lance Chase of Wolf Point won a men’s traditional $1,000 winner take all special.
In men’s grass, Mannie Charging took first, followed by Oswego’s Gauge Ackerman and Ray Keiser of Frazer.
In women’s traditional, Andi Gray from Fort Belknap cam out on top, with Poplar’s Gaybrielle Boyd Weinberger in second and Josette Staples in third.
For Women’s jingle, first place went to Tearshe Mc-Gillis (N.D.). Laureen Yellow Hammer from Brockton took second and Poplar’s Jourdan Hoops-Lovan took third.
Women’s fancy was won by Shanee Crve (Idaho). Boys’ teen traditional was won by Brockton’s Weston Lambert.
In boys’ teen grass, Rondal Fast Horse from Poplar took first, followed by Trey Ewack and Poplar’s Aiden Spotted Elk. Boys’ teen fancy was won by Wolf Point’s Apollo Johnson and Trevor Yuzucupp.
Mahloni Hoops of Poplar won teen girls’ traditional. In teen girls’ jingle, Poplar’s Courtney Spotted Wolf came in first, followed by Tahnee Thunder Child and Faithee Laroque, both of Poplar.
Teen girls’ fancy saw Wolf Point’s Jade Miller in front, followed by Macy Quinn Johnson and Brockton’s Jaslyn Lambert.
Junior boys’ traditional was won by Brockton’s Colton Roberts and Poplar’s Anthony Mazawanicuna. Junior boys’ grass was won by Brockton’s Corwin Iceman, with second place going to Donald Iceman, also of Brockton. Nadden Spotted Wolf, of Poplar, placed third.
In junior boys’ fancy, Wyatt Spotted Bird of Poplar placed first, followed by Tysen Craft. Junior girls’ jingle saw Poplar’s Jenaeya Moran in front, followed by Jocilyn Euray and Nalaye Nelson. Junior girls’ fancy was won by Brockton’s Gracie Lambert, followed by Brylee Eder and Amare Birdtail, both of Poplar.
