Tamkaliks scheduled for July 19-21

Published 12:38 am Tuesday, July 2, 2019

WALLOWA – The Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland Project’s Tamkaliks Celebration July 19-21 at the powwow grounds in Wallowa.

The 29th annual event welcomes Wallowa Band Nez Perce descendants, Wallowa County residents and visitors from around the country for a weekend of friendship and culture.

In preparation for the event, volunteers are encouraged to help out at the pre-Tamkaliks workday on Saturday, July 13th from 8 am to 1 pm. Lunch will be provided. Support can also be shown through dance sponsorship – prizes range from $50 to $300.

Tamkaliks weekend, Friday night the festivities begin with social dancing, singing and drumming at 7 p.m. in the dance arbor.

Saturday the memorial horse parade begins at 9 a.m. – a ceremonial representation of the Nez Perce descendants’ return to their homeland.

Saturday competition dancing begins at 1 p.m. Later that night, following the Veterans Dance at 7 p.m., is an event never seen before at Tamkaliks and not to be missed – the Slick Style and Short Fringe specials.

Sunday morning the Washat service begins at 9 a.m. and the Friendship Feast is at noon. Fun and social dancing begins at 2 p.m., followed by contest dancing awards to wrap up the weekend’s events.

Tamkaliks is on Whiskey Creek Road outside of Wallowa on 320 acres along the Wallowa River. Along with traditional cultural events, vendors from around the Northwest sell all kinds of food including Indian fry bread along with handmade goods like moccasins, jewelry and beaded purses.

Come stroll the grounds and check out the historic bridges linking the powwow grounds to the town of Wallowa or enjoy the shade by the banks of the Wallowa River. A trail from the valley floor winds up to the top of Tick Hill affording a fabulous view of the Wallowa lower valley.

Ample camping is available, a corral and horse stalls are on site for those bringing horses and showers and vault toilets are available for campers.

To reserve a campsite, time for a naming or memorial ceremony or to get more information on the Wallowa Homeland Project and the Tamkaliks Celebration call 541-886-3101 or visit www.wallowanezperce.org.

The Tamkaliks Celebration is a drug and alcohol-free event.