Julyamsh opens today in Post Falls

POST FALLS - The Coeur d'Alene Tribe will host its Julyamsh powwow today through Sunday at the Greyhound Park and Event Center in Post Falls.

Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

"I do hope all our employees take pride and even ownership in this very special and unique event," said Dave Matheson, CEO of the Coeur d'Alene Casino. "Julyamsh is always a celebration of Indian culture, traditions and heritage, but it's also a celebration of how our own staff, Indian and non-Indian, commit themselves to being part of a very important, truly magnificent event for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe and for the region."

Grand entries, which feature dancers in full regalia, will be at 7 tonight, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday. Each grand entry is preceded by a memorial horse ride.

Artist booths open at noon each day.

Featured guests this year are R.J. Molinere and Jay Paul, stars of the History Channel's weekly reality series called "Swamp People." Both are members of Louisiana's Houma Indian Nation.

Paul is a two-time Golden Gloves boxing champion and a mixed martial arts fighter.

The two will have a question-and-answer lecture today at 4 p.m. They will be at a booth for autographs and photo ops on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

About 600 dancers and 55 drum groups from tribes across the country and Canada are expected to participate in the powwow.

Male and female dancers will compete in traditional, fancy dance and grass dance categories. Drummers will also compete for cash prizes.

Other activities include a fun run at 9 a.m. on Saturday and a live auction at 4 p.m.