Photo Gallery: Two rhythms, one heart

Whip Woman, Judy Farrow, prepares for a switch-out to women’s dancing after Men’s Golden Age finishes up on Feb. 28, 2026, during the Two Cultures One Community Powwow at the Pendleton Convention Center. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)

By LEE GAVIN | The CUJ

Big drums and bagpipes set the tone for the Two Cultures One Community powwow

Montee Nelson of Nespelem, Washington, took first place during the Ermineskin Headdress Special at the Two Cultures, One Community powwow on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Pendleton Convention Center. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)
Happy Canyon Princesses, Manaia Wolf, left, and MyaLyn Mills, right, at the Two Cultures One Community powwow, on Feb. 28 at the Pendleton Convention Center. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)
The Weston-McEwen High School Bagpipe Program is a distinctive student music program that celebrates Scottish musical tradition while representing the pride and heritage of the Weston-McEwen community. The students, led by Jacob Gau, performed at the Two Cultures, One Community Powwow and shared the background of their instruments and the history of the group on Feb. 28 at the Pendleton Convention Center. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)
Dan Nanamkin of Nespelem, Washington, stands with his dogs outside the Two Cultures, One Community Powwow at the Pendleton Convention Center on Feb. 28, 2026. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)
Black Lodge Singers of White Swan, Washington, took first place in the Two Cultures One Community drum contest on Feb. 28, 2026, at the Pendleton Convention Center. Black Lodge, led by Kenny ScabbyRobe of the Blackfeet Sponge Bob Squarepants and Mickey Mouse. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)
Dancers fill the floor at the Pendleton Convention Center during grand entry at the Two Cultures One Community Powwow on Feb. 27, 2026 at the Pendleton Convention Center. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)
CTUIR Veteran, David Wolf, prepares to lead the Color Guard veterans and the colors into the arena to open the powwow on Feb. 27, at the Pendleton Convention Center. The CTUIR Color Guard also included Ashleigh Wolf, William “Guy Guy” Herrera, Derek Quaempts and Lindsey X. Watchman. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)
Jacob Gau, pipe major of the Weston-McEwen bagpipe and drum group, leads fellow pipers in a performance at the Two Cultures, One Community Powwow on Feb. 28, 2026, at the Pendleton Convention Center. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)
The Jr. Boys Fancy competitors line up for judging after dancing Feb. 28, 2026, at the Two Cultures One Community Powwow at the Pendleton Convention Center. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)
Whip Woman, Judy Farrow, prepares for a switch-out to women’s dancing after Men’s Golden Age finishes up on Feb. 28, 2026, during the Two Cultures One Community Powwow at the Pendleton Convention Center. (Lee Gavin/The CUJ)

The 2026 Two Cultures, One Community powwow contest winners

Tiny Tot Boys

  • 1st Place: Timinah Ellenwood of Pendleton, Ore. 
  • 2nd Place: Jhett Nomee of Worley, Idaho
  • 3rd Place: Xander Danzika of Warm Springs, Ore. 
  • 4th Place: Tinun Two Moons of Lapwai, Idaho 

Tiny Tot Girls

  • 1st Place: Jonii Walsey of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 2nd Place: Jolene Spencer of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Mavis Mata of Pendleton, Ore.
  • 4th Place: Karen Meninick of Harrah, Wash. 

Women Golden Age

  • 1st Place: Melinda Good Will of Canada 
  • 2nd Place: Audrey Olney of White Swan, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Thomiscita Mountain Sheep of Pocatello, Idaho 
  • 4th Place: Pat Heemsah of Toppenish, Wash.

Men’s Golden Age

  • 1st Place: Larry White Jr. of Idaho 
  • 2nd Place: Jeff Downing
  • 3rd Place: Brian George of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Dave Madera of Wash. 

Jr. Girls Fancy

  • 1st Place: Cambri Lynn Buckskin of Blackfoot, Idaho 
  • 2nd Place: Raine Williams of White Swan, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Emma EagleSpeaker of Yelm, Wash.
  • 4th Place: Chanah Blackhorn of Eugene, Ore.

Jr. Girls Jingle

  • 1st Place: Melody Waskanat of Wellpinit, Wash. 
  • 2nd Place: Paisley Buckskin of Blackfoot, Idaho 
  • 3rd Place: Winter Star Denny of Logan, Utah 
  • 4th Place: Tiana Blackwolf of  White Swan, Wash.

Jr. Girls Traditional

  • 1st Place: Aliesse WhiteGrass of Starrschool, Mont. 
  • 2nd Place: Aria Irene Olney of Wapato, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Tawny Kicking Woman of Lapwai, Idaho
  • 4th Place: Analiyah Madera of Spokane, Wash.

Jr. Boys Fancy

  • 1st Place: Jeremiah Wahchumwah of Milton, Wash.
  • 2nd Place: Jacoby Nomee of Worley, Idaho 
  • 3rd Place: George Harold of Wapato, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Hoody Walsey of Wapato, Wash.

Jr. Boys Grass

  • 1st Place: James Tewawina of Lapwai, Idaho 
  • 2nd Place: Senata Meninick of Toppenish, Wash.
  • 3rd Place: Niigaanii Star of  Marshatown 
  • 4th Place: Altii Blackhorn of Eugene, Ore.

Jr. Boys Traditional

  • 1st Place: Hunter Whiteplume of Lapwai, Idaho 
  • 2nd Place: Rocky Lloyd of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Philip Lloyd of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Darius Walsey of Wapato, Wash.

Teen Girls Fancy

  • 1st Place: Lennyn Paskemin of West Valley City, Utah
  • 2nd Place: Valerie Scabbyrobe of White Swan, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Alani Barr of Wadsworth, Nev. 
  • 4th Place: Trinity Madera of Spokane, Wash.

Teen Girls Jingle

  • 1st Place: Maddie Bird of St. Albert, Canada, Alberta
  • 2nd Place: Imani Benson of Wapato, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Vera Johnson of Salem, Ore.
  • 4th Place: Davianna Madera of Spokane, Wash.

Teen Girls Traditional

  • 1st Place: Askewin Tom of Lapwai, Idaho 
  • 2nd Place: Makli Brown Eagle of Usk, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Candace Whiteplume of Lapwai, Idaho 
  • 4th Place: Jayden Holiday of Wapato, Wash. 

Teen Boys Fancy

  • 1st Place: Julius Phoenix of Rosemead, Cali.
  • 2nd Place: Liam Beebe of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Nabahe Shebala of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 
  • 4th Place: AJ Graves of Fort Hall, Idaho

Teen Boys Grass

  • 1st Place: Jonathan Casper of Yakima, Wash. 
  • 2nd Place: EJ Denny of Warm Springs, Ore. 
  • 3rd Place: Donovan Waskanat of  Wellpinit, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Robert Tewawina Jr. of Lapwai, Idaho

Teen Boys Traditional

  • 1st Place: Blake Lloyd of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 2nd Place: Lorenzo Janoko of Tule River, Cali. 
  • 3rd Place: Baylor Scabbyrobe of White Swan, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Hiyuum Blackeagle of Pendleton, Ore. 

Sr. Women Traditional

  • 1st Place: Violet Olney of White Swan, Wash. 
  • 2nd Place: Tilda Walsey of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Leah Brisbois of Dallas, Ore. 
  • 4th Place: Sheena McCloud of Toppenish, Wash.

Sr. Women Basket Hat

  • 1st Place: Katrina Miller of Pendleton, Ore. 
  • 2nd Place: Dolly Heemsah of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Bixie Wallahee of White Swan, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Edwina MorningOwl of Pilot Rock, Ore.

Sr. Women Jingle

  • 1st Place: Prairie Rose Jack of White Cone, Ariz. 
  • 2nd Place: Paula Shebala of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 
  • 3rd Place: Bridget EagleSpeaker of Yelm, Wash.
  • 4th Place: Rowena Roberts of Atwood, Okla.

Sr. Women Fancy

  • 1st Place: SallyAnne Thomas of Blackfoot, Idaho 
  • 2nd Place: Denelle Stanley of Seattle, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Michelle Bobadilla of Wadsworth, Nev. 
  • 4th Place: Irene Onepennee of Wapato, Wash.

Sr. Men Traditional

  • 1st Place: Hunter Blassingame of Lame Deer, Mont. 
  • 2nd Place: Sheldon Shebala of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 
  • 3rd Place: George Meninick Jr. of Toppenish, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Buckaroo Wallahee of Yakima, Wash.

Sr. Chicken/Round Bustle

  • 1st Place: Rod First Strike of Browning, Mont. 
  • 2nd Place: Jeremy Barney Sr of Portland, Ore.
  • 3rd Place: Kellen Joseph of Pendleton, Ore.
  • 4th Place: Jordan Stasso of Flathead, Mont.

Sr. Men Grass

  • 1st Place: Randall Paskemin of West Valley City, Utah 
  • 2nd Place: Joseph Baldwin of Fort Hall, Idaho 
  • 3rd Place: Gary Villa of Warm Springs, Ore. 
  • 4th Place: Dakota Madera of Spokane, Wash.

Sr. Men Fancy

  • 1st Place: Gary Olney of White Swan, Wash.
  • 2nd Place: Kenny Pratt Jr. of Yakima, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Gary Smith of Granger, Wash.

Jr. Women Traditional

  • 1st Place: Oteskwe Shebala of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 
  • 2nd Place: Mariah Beebe of Wapato, Wash.
  • 3rd Place: Jovena ScabbyRobe of White Swan, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Jonae Nomee of Worley, Idaho

Jr. Women Basket Hat

  • 1st Place: Loreal Ellenwood of Lapwai, Idaho 
  • 2nd Place: Layla Sohappy of Mission, Ore. 
  • 3rd Place: Katrina Blackwolf of Yakima, Wash.
  • 4th Place: Teata Ellenwood of Pendleton, Ore.

Jr. Women Jingle

  • 1st Place: Arianne Sheka of Fort Defiance, Ariz. 
  • 2nd Place: Leilani ODaye of Reno, Nev. 
  • 3rd Place: Tosha McCloud of Harrah, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Analynn Olney of White Swan, Wash.

Jr. Women Fancy

  • 1st Place: Tavian Star of Tama, Iowa
  • 2nd Place: Lara Lasley of Scottsdale, Ariz. 
  • 3rd Place: Acozjah Dion of Boise, Idaho 
  • 4th Place: Shandiin Shebala of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Jr. Men Traditional

  • 1st Place: Rusty McCloud of Harrah, Wash. 
  • 2nd Place: Nataos Beebe of Wapato, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Lincoln Kingbird of Tama, Iowa 
  • 4th Place: Herschel Williamson of Kamiah, Idaho

Jr. Chicken/Round Bustle

  • 1st Place: Tyus Beebe of Wapato, Wash. 
  • 2nd Place: Jordan Yazzie of Georgeville, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Ethan Wallahee of Yakima, Wash. 
  • 4th Place: Brylen ScabbyRobe of White Swan, Wash.

Jr. Men Grass

  • 1st Place: Chad Star of Iowa 
  • 2nd Place: Manny Hawley of Seattle, Wash. 
  • 3rd Place: Marshall Baker of Scottsdale, Ariz. 
  • 4th Place: Redsky Chimburas of Lewiston, Idaho

Jr. Men Fancy

  • 1st Place: Silas Whitebuffalo of Granite Falls, Mont. 
  • 2nd Place: Jonathen Nomee of Worley, Idaho 
  • 3rd Place: Xavier Littlehead of Lame Deer, Mont. 
  • 4th Place: Ba’al Garcia of Garden Grove, Cali.

Drum Groups

  • 1st Place: Blacklodge 
  • 2nd Place: Wild Rose 
  • 3rd Place: Lightning Creek 
  • 4th Place: Buffalo Hill 
  • 5th Place: Bad Eagle 
  • 6th Place: Red Hoop 
  • 7th Place: Buffalo Trail 
  • 8th Place: Dancing Eagle

Women Fancy Calcutta Special

  • 1st Place: Tavian Star of Tama, Iowa
  • 2nd Place: Denelle Stanley of Seattle, Wash.
  • 3rd Place: Lara Lasley of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Men’s Ermine Hat Special

  • 1st Place: Montee Nelson of Nespelem, Wash.
  • 2nd Place: Antone Picard of Warm Springs, Ore.
  • 3rd Place: George Meninick Jr. of Yakima, Wash.

Sweetheart Special

  • 1st Place: Bucky and Kayle Old Elk of Ashland, Mont.
  • 2nd Place: Marshall Baker and Lara Lasky of Scottsdale, Ariz.
  • 3rd Place: Chad and Tavian Star of Spokane, Wash.

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