At the University of Idaho, the Tutxinmepu Powwow has been a tradition for nine years. For Natalie Moose, it’s been an intricate part of her entire life.
“It’s part of our tradition, of who we are,” she said. “I’ve been listening to this music since I was on a baby board. It’s like a pulse.”
Driving her car in Renly, Idaho, the teenager listens to powwow music regularly and is a member of Rose Creek, a drumming group created 10 years ago.

“The drums pull me, plus the voices. It’s like a guitar to rockers,” she said.
Rose Creek was one of many drum groups who came to play at Friday night’s powwow. Each group was given an opportunity to play, while the crowd was invited to dance along with the songs. Each song signifies a different type of intertribal dance.
Deyo Esquivel is a member of the Iron Spirit group. He said that the importance of the powwow rests in its tradition and legacy.
“For a lot of people, they go to different powwow’s almost every weekend, all year long,” he said. “It’s a big family, they constantly run into each other and that’s what they call themselves — the powwow family.
“You see all the little kids here and you can see, we’re keeping our culture alive … we’re keeping our traditions alive.”
Children filled Memorial Gym as they danced and played throughout the night. One popular event was the dance competition for toddlers. Featured for anyone age 6 or under, the floor filled up with children from various tribes, wearing traditional clothing and dancing in the traditional manner.

“Tutxinmepu” is a Nez Perce word for “the place where the deer lost their spots,” or the Palouse region. However, visitors came from across the U.S. to celebrate. Nacho Martinez is from Arizona, but despite the distance, tribute was paid to him during the powwow for his military service in Vietnam.
Martinez said that the saddest part of his duty was bringing home the bodies of fallen soldiers. He also was not surprised about the level of respect his fellow American Indians have shown him.
“This country honors its veterans three times a year … Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Native Americans honor their veterans at every powwow, I think they honor them every time they turn around,” Martinez said.
The powwow was also used as an opportunity to welcome Angelique EagleWoman, the new law professor. EagleWoman will teach federal American Indian law, seminars on American Indian natural resources and other issues relating to tribes, and a civil procedure course. She also will assist the College of Law and the university with tribal law and leadership initiatives. EagleWoman will begin teaching in the fall.

“It is a profound and unique honor to meet you all. I’m really happy to be here and I look forward to becoming a part of this community,” she said.
According to Moose, it was encouraging to see another American INdian face in a position of prestige.
“Whenever you see that, it’s sort of special. I mean someone here could see her and think ‘Hey, that could be me,’” she said.

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