Rocky Boy hires professional fundraiser for powwow

Paul G · 01-11-2006, 04:46 PM

The Chippewa Cree Tribe has hired a promoter to help lasso sponsorships from major U.S. corporations for this year's Rocky Boy's Pow-Wow and rodeo.

The tribal council made that decision so the tribal government no longer has to subsidize the annual celebration, which draws thousands of visitors.

Another reason for the partnership with REX Media is time.

“Most of the volunteers we do have are all working people and family people,” said Richard Sangrey, president of the tribe's events committee and tribal chief of staff. “We have fundraising events on weekends and members don't have time for their own families.”

The average total cost of the powwow, held each year in August, is about $50,000, he said. Only about $12,000 has been raised so far.

Sangrey said it has been years since the costs of the annual powwow and a winter powwow have been covered solely with fundraising.

The tribe will pay REX Media, a Virginia-based promoter, 20 percent of the money the company raises, Sangrey said.

REX Media president Susan Clancy said in an e-mail that the business is primarily looking for a corporation to sponsor the prize money and trophies for the powwow, which includes dance competitions, a handgame tournament and a rodeo.

“We hope to obtain corporate sponsorship for the event from major corporations and are approaching Dodge, Chevrolet, Phillip-Morris, Altria, McDonalds, and Cell phone corporations such as Cellular One, Cingular, and Sprint/Nextel,” Clancy wrote.

Clancy said the four-employee business is planning to design a Web site to promote the powwow. At the site, visitors will be able to purchase rodeo tickets and view detailed information such as rodeo schedules, and listings of craft exhibitors and other vendors.

Lloyd Top Sky, a former chair of the powwow committee, said the tribal council's decision reflects overall changes in the powwow, an event that has grown in size and cost over the years.

Top Sky said that historically within the tribe, sponsoring a powwow was considered a matter of honor and spirituality. People would donate a side of beef, he said, but “the events are getting so big now one beef wouldn't really help.”

Powwow fundraising has been at a “cookie sale” level over the years with main sources of revenue being raffles and advertising in event programs, he said. Friends of the 2004 Rocky Boy Powwow made almost $30,000, he added.

Top Sky said he thinks the tribe needs another year to see funds from corporations and doesn't think “it'll happen by August.”

“I sure hope the corporations can come through,” he added.

Russell Standing Rock, who helped organize last year's powwow, said the tribe will probably get corporate money but “it's not right, it's not good.”

He said he would be happier if fundraising was done more traditionally.

“I'm against it. First thing they are going to do is go to Budweiser and Coors,” Standing Rock said. “The bottom line is we're not going to have tradition and culture the way that it should be.”

He said many tribes are losing their identity and some “think because you have a powwow, you're traditional.”

“Money does not buy religion, culture and language,” Standing Rock said. “My mother and dad originally started the Rocky Boy celebration in 1964. The purpose behind the celebration was to celebrate the 50th birthday of Rocky Boy and so people could give thanks for the reservation.”

Standing Rock said tribal members were traditionally supposed to labor in some way to raise money.

“It should be a community effort,” he said. “My mother and father raised every dime.”

Sangrey said the events committee he chairs, which formed in November, will continue fundraising.

“There's a lot of money to be raised,” he said.

qwade · 01-11-2006, 06:45 PM

it's all what your after are you having a ceromony or a pow wow ? pow wow is just a sport to me cause you compete for money, Ive never gotten paid to go ceromony. have to make up your mind what you do and believe.nothing sacred bout pow wow just my ceromonies.

whalawitsagirl · 01-11-2006, 08:04 PM

Yes It Is Sad That Any Kind Of Beer Could Be The Main Sponser And This Should Not Happen Due To The Fact Native American People Have A Such An Issue With Alcohol. When You Flash The Signs And And The Bottle In Front Of A Recovering Alcoholic Or Even An Alcholoic Your Asking For Trouble And Contributing To The Fire. But If This Is The Tribal Counciles Responceblity To Make Dang Sure That This Media Group Is Not Going To Allow Such Banners And Contributions. The Plus Side To This If This Group Is Going To All The Different Sponcers It May Open The Eyes Of The Non-native World, Beside The Hollywood Verson Of Natives. An Maybe Id They Thorw In A Opening To A Collage Enrty Way Or A Sporting Event Of Some Kind To Maybe Encougare The Native Youth Other Than Drugs, Alcohol, And Droppin Gout Of School And Then It Could Help But Above All We Should Keep This A Spiritual Get Togeher. Not Everyone Dances For Sport But For The Elder Who Can't Or The Loved One Who's Gone On. But This Is All One Indians Opinon.

sltate · 01-12-2006, 10:25 AM

I love going to Rocky Boy, and have been since 1974.....I thought the tribal council always assisted and picked up where the pow wow committee needed further assistance? You know, setting a goal and if the community could not raise it, then the council stepped in and gave assistance. I think that big money pow wows, that aren't tribally sponsored, such as Denver, Red Earth, Gathering...get their money from sponsors, do we have a problem with those pow wows and where they get their money. I believe casino pow wows get their money from the tribe, via casino contributions, do we have a problem with dancing for gambling money, when there are people who have gambling addictions?
I think the Chippewa Cree tribe is just trying out a new system so that they may have the big money to have a celebration that can compete with the big casino pow wows, let them give it a try without too much criticism. Like we always say,times change. I remember when Rocky Boy had $1200 and $1000 for first place and this was back in the late 80's and early 90's and that was considered alot of money, back then. Not now, geez, that's pretty much the norm.LOL

qwade · 01-12-2006, 10:48 AM

with you mrs.Tate just have a pow wow there's nothing sacred bout it, get your sponsors hand out some money, it's all good ,now when i see a beer sponsor at a sweat or meeting that's when we have problems. LOL.

sltate · 01-12-2006, 12:16 PM

LOL^^^^^^^ I agree. I know Rocky Boy has their sundance ceremonies and those are kept sacred and separate, they are just trying to raise money for competition and head staff. Everyone knows the big name head staff don't travel for less than $1000 bucks now a days, same with the drums, they are asking at least $3000 to come to your pow wow. The days of being head staff for the honor of being head staff are over. Gas prices alone are outrageous. LOL

Native 1 · 01-12-2006, 01:54 PM

I wasnt gonna reply but...its pretty sad when you have to trade your culture, identity, language etc...for money..I don't think the creator charged us anything when we were blessed with those things..now we have to use those to make money...and if the original ideology got lost..then it becomes commercialized..I go to denver/gon/ etc..knowing they are commerical pow wows..there is nothing that connects you to that community...the other thing is this if they are going that way then..why not pay out all of the dancers..??? I think honor is being totally ignored/lost/destroyed when you bring money into replace the spirituality of any nation and that includes the language, identity..the community coming together to bring that back...uniting families and if this is the pow wows of the future...then hmmm I think I would rather go to ceremonies and forego pow wows except for those who are still maintaing their culture through unity etc..

qwade · 01-12-2006, 03:25 PM

that is your choice , I still go to my ceromonies and all i get paid is a container of delicious indian soup and thats good enough for me . but just sayin pow wows are just a sport as far as im concerned, and if your good in a sport then so be it.

KeetersCAT · 01-12-2006, 06:38 PM

Excellent idea! Takes the strain off the tribal budget. When they put money towards pow-wows they have to get the funds SOMEWHERE. Better to seek the sponsorship from outside sources. Rocky Boy is an awesome pow-wow and the hospitality is outstanding. It's our favorite so far!

sltate · 01-12-2006, 08:01 PM

Like I said, don't criticize them because they are trying to raise money for their celebration. Everyone knows it takes money to put on a big competition pow wow. I am sure the community will still have their family specials, feeds,etc. The hospitality won't change. And, as far as Russell StandingRock, he is a community member, and has right to his say, but he also knows how much money it takes to pay staff, being an MC himself. Travel is a big issue nowadays. Perhaps Rocky Boy should get their own people as staff, so they won't have to pay them at all and consider their contribution as a staff member as voluntary? Perhaps go traditional all the way around, no singing or dancing contests, etc. But, as stated before,they have set a high standard on their abilities to have such a big pow wow, which included big money, but now they need assistance. Who can blame them for asking for outside help? How many people have actually put on a pow wow and know the time,(especially the time), effort and finances you put in months before the celebration even gets there. I believe everyone is working at their own jobs there, trying to make in the daily world and the tribe is trying to be of assistance to their own people, also. So, if they have the guts to try this, more power to them. Who knows? It may be the thing of the future, and more tribes will be hiring outside help to organize and fundraise. Geez, didn't we see several "traditional" pow wow people run out to Schemitzen when they needed help organizing thier celebration and get paid for consulting. What is the difference?

qwade · 01-12-2006, 08:42 PM

yeah you go mrs.Tate your words are true 4 realz!

**kiyaanii mom** · 01-13-2006, 02:08 PM

I'm all for this and hope it works.

My husband and I coordinate a tribal powwow for a non-gaming tribe. (Navajo Nation) And we and our committee fundraise for this powwow the hard way, bingos, concessions, dances, raffles, etc. It's a lot of time, work and personal expense. We and the committee are all full time employees who do this voluntarily. (no pay)

I would love to just plan the powwow and not have to worry about having enough money. I would also like to be able to advertise the payout on our flyers, but we can't cuz we are usually still raising money.

I think it is a GREAT idea. Now I'm just wondering how successful corporate sponsorship is going to be. If this works, I'm pretty sure it will be another step toward a Professional Powwow circuit.

CloudN9ne · 01-13-2006, 04:58 PM

my uncle russell is right %100.......our powwow back home is funded by the people and other sponsers, i bet taxes will be involved...............

uw_n8iv · 01-14-2006, 08:36 PM

It's a sad side of reality that some people judge HOW GOOD A CELEBRATION is by the amount of money that goes into it and pay-outs. But those people exist and the committee is just responding to that side of the powwow.

For me, I'm going to Rocky Boy powwow this year whether they have big payouts or small. The committee and the community treated me so well before. They really took care of this visitor, so I'm headed back to the powwow to pay my respects to the elders, visit with my adopted family, and celebrate the community.

01-11-2006, 04:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paul G Webmaster Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 14,248 Blog Entries: 1	Rocky Boy hires professional fundraiser for powwow The Chippewa Cree Tribe has hired a promoter to help lasso sponsorships from major U.S. corporations for this year's Rocky Boy's Pow-Wow and rodeo. The tribal council made that decision so the tribal government no longer has to subsidize the annual celebration, which draws thousands of visitors. Another reason for the partnership with REX Media is time. “Most of the volunteers we do have are all working people and family people,” said Richard Sangrey, president of the tribe's events committee and tribal chief of staff. “We have fundraising events on weekends and members don't have time for their own families.” The average total cost of the powwow, held each year in August, is about $50,000, he said. Only about $12,000 has been raised so far. Sangrey said it has been years since the costs of the annual powwow and a winter powwow have been covered solely with fundraising. The tribe will pay REX Media, a Virginia-based promoter, 20 percent of the money the company raises, Sangrey said. REX Media president Susan Clancy said in an e-mail that the business is primarily looking for a corporation to sponsor the prize money and trophies for the powwow, which includes dance competitions, a handgame tournament and a rodeo. “We hope to obtain corporate sponsorship for the event from major corporations and are approaching Dodge, Chevrolet, Phillip-Morris, Altria, McDonalds, and Cell phone corporations such as Cellular One, Cingular, and Sprint/Nextel,” Clancy wrote. Clancy said the four-employee business is planning to design a Web site to promote the powwow. At the site, visitors will be able to purchase rodeo tickets and view detailed information such as rodeo schedules, and listings of craft exhibitors and other vendors. Lloyd Top Sky, a former chair of the powwow committee, said the tribal council's decision reflects overall changes in the powwow, an event that has grown in size and cost over the years. Top Sky said that historically within the tribe, sponsoring a powwow was considered a matter of honor and spirituality. People would donate a side of beef, he said, but “the events are getting so big now one beef wouldn't really help.” Powwow fundraising has been at a “cookie sale” level over the years with main sources of revenue being raffles and advertising in event programs, he said. Friends of the 2004 Rocky Boy Powwow made almost $30,000, he added. Top Sky said he thinks the tribe needs another year to see funds from corporations and doesn't think “it'll happen by August.” “I sure hope the corporations can come through,” he added. Russell Standing Rock, who helped organize last year's powwow, said the tribe will probably get corporate money but “it's not right, it's not good.” He said he would be happier if fundraising was done more traditionally. “I'm against it. First thing they are going to do is go to Budweiser and Coors,” Standing Rock said. “The bottom line is we're not going to have tradition and culture the way that it should be.” He said many tribes are losing their identity and some “think because you have a powwow, you're traditional.” “Money does not buy religion, culture and language,” Standing Rock said. “My mother and dad originally started the Rocky Boy celebration in 1964. The purpose behind the celebration was to celebrate the 50th birthday of Rocky Boy and so people could give thanks for the reservation.” Standing Rock said tribal members were traditionally supposed to labor in some way to raise money. “It should be a community effort,” he said. “My mother and father raised every dime.” Sangrey said the events committee he chairs, which formed in November, will continue fundraising. “There's a lot of money to be raised,” he said. __________________ New to the site--Introduce Yourself Need Help--FAQ--Search Feedback--Post your suggestions MyTribalSpace.com \| NativeGatherings.com \| PowWows.com Podcast \| Indigitunes.com NativeSeek.com \| Pow Wow TV \| Pow Wow Radio \| NativeMusicSource.com Radio \| NDN411.com \| eSnag Online Dating

01-11-2006, 06:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
qwade Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 73	I agree then I dont it's all what your after are you having a ceromony or a pow wow ? pow wow is just a sport to me cause you compete for money, Ive never gotten paid to go ceromony. have to make up your mind what you do and believe.nothing sacred bout pow wow just my ceromonies.

01-11-2006, 08:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
whalawitsagirl Junior Dancer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in a house Posts: 126	budweiser and coors it most likely will be Yes It Is Sad That Any Kind Of Beer Could Be The Main Sponser And This Should Not Happen Due To The Fact Native American People Have A Such An Issue With Alcohol. When You Flash The Signs And And The Bottle In Front Of A Recovering Alcoholic Or Even An Alcholoic Your Asking For Trouble And Contributing To The Fire. But If This Is The Tribal Counciles Responceblity To Make Dang Sure That This Media Group Is Not Going To Allow Such Banners And Contributions. The Plus Side To This If This Group Is Going To All The Different Sponcers It May Open The Eyes Of The Non-native World, Beside The Hollywood Verson Of Natives. An Maybe Id They Thorw In A Opening To A Collage Enrty Way Or A Sporting Event Of Some Kind To Maybe Encougare The Native Youth Other Than Drugs, Alcohol, And Droppin Gout Of School And Then It Could Help But Above All We Should Keep This A Spiritual Get Togeher. Not Everyone Dances For Sport But For The Elder Who Can't Or The Loved One Who's Gone On. But This Is All One Indians Opinon. __________________ I'M HAVING PEPSI WISHES AND INDIAN TACO DREAMS

01-12-2006, 10:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
qwade Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 73	I agree with you mrs.Tate just have a pow wow there's nothing sacred bout it, get your sponsors hand out some money, it's all good ,now when i see a beer sponsor at a sweat or meeting that's when we have problems. LOL.

01-12-2006, 03:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
qwade Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 73	choice that is your choice , I still go to my ceromonies and all i get paid is a container of delicious indian soup and thats good enough for me . but just sayin pow wows are just a sport as far as im concerned, and if your good in a sport then so be it.

01-12-2006, 10:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
sltate Senior Dancer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: apache,ok Posts: 559	I love going to Rocky Boy, and have been since 1974.....I thought the tribal council always assisted and picked up where the pow wow committee needed further assistance? You know, setting a goal and if the community could not raise it, then the council stepped in and gave assistance. I think that big money pow wows, that aren't tribally sponsored, such as Denver, Red Earth, Gathering...get their money from sponsors, do we have a problem with those pow wows and where they get their money. I believe casino pow wows get their money from the tribe, via casino contributions, do we have a problem with dancing for gambling money, when there are people who have gambling addictions? I think the Chippewa Cree tribe is just trying out a new system so that they may have the big money to have a celebration that can compete with the big casino pow wows, let them give it a try without too much criticism. Like we always say,times change. I remember when Rocky Boy had $1200 and $1000 for first place and this was back in the late 80's and early 90's and that was considered alot of money, back then. Not now, geez, that's pretty much the norm.LOL

01-12-2006, 12:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
sltate Senior Dancer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: apache,ok Posts: 559	LOL^^^^^^^ I agree. I know Rocky Boy has their sundance ceremonies and those are kept sacred and separate, they are just trying to raise money for competition and head staff. Everyone knows the big name head staff don't travel for less than $1000 bucks now a days, same with the drums, they are asking at least $3000 to come to your pow wow. The days of being head staff for the honor of being head staff are over. Gas prices alone are outrageous. LOL

01-12-2006, 01:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Native 1 Junior Dancer Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 119	I wasnt gonna reply but...its pretty sad when you have to trade your culture, identity, language etc...for money..I don't think the creator charged us anything when we were blessed with those things..now we have to use those to make money...and if the original ideology got lost..then it becomes commercialized..I go to denver/gon/ etc..knowing they are commerical pow wows..there is nothing that connects you to that community...the other thing is this if they are going that way then..why not pay out all of the dancers..??? I think honor is being totally ignored/lost/destroyed when you bring money into replace the spirituality of any nation and that includes the language, identity..the community coming together to bring that back...uniting families and if this is the pow wows of the future...then hmmm I think I would rather go to ceremonies and forego pow wows except for those who are still maintaing their culture through unity etc..

01-12-2006, 06:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
KeetersCAT Teen Dancer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: the ridge Posts: 470	Excellent idea! Takes the strain off the tribal budget. When they put money towards pow-wows they have to get the funds SOMEWHERE. Better to seek the sponsorship from outside sources. Rocky Boy is an awesome pow-wow and the hospitality is outstanding. It's our favorite so far! __________________ tuck & roll

01-12-2006, 08:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
sltate Senior Dancer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: apache,ok Posts: 559	Like I said, don't criticize them because they are trying to raise money for their celebration. Everyone knows it takes money to put on a big competition pow wow. I am sure the community will still have their family specials, feeds,etc. The hospitality won't change. And, as far as Russell StandingRock, he is a community member, and has right to his say, but he also knows how much money it takes to pay staff, being an MC himself. Travel is a big issue nowadays. Perhaps Rocky Boy should get their own people as staff, so they won't have to pay them at all and consider their contribution as a staff member as voluntary? Perhaps go traditional all the way around, no singing or dancing contests, etc. But, as stated before,they have set a high standard on their abilities to have such a big pow wow, which included big money, but now they need assistance. Who can blame them for asking for outside help? How many people have actually put on a pow wow and know the time,(especially the time), effort and finances you put in months before the celebration even gets there. I believe everyone is working at their own jobs there, trying to make in the daily world and the tribe is trying to be of assistance to their own people, also. So, if they have the guts to try this, more power to them. Who knows? It may be the thing of the future, and more tribes will be hiring outside help to organize and fundraise. Geez, didn't we see several "traditional" pow wow people run out to Schemitzen when they needed help organizing thier celebration and get paid for consulting. What is the difference?

01-12-2006, 08:42 PM	#11 (permalink)
qwade Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 73	yeah yeah you go mrs.Tate your words are true 4 realz!

01-13-2006, 02:08 PM	#12 (permalink)
kiyaanii mom We'll See.... Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Down the street from Walmart....Yippee! Posts: 3,390	I'm all for this and hope it works. My husband and I coordinate a tribal powwow for a non-gaming tribe. (Navajo Nation) And we and our committee fundraise for this powwow the hard way, bingos, concessions, dances, raffles, etc. It's a lot of time, work and personal expense. We and the committee are all full time employees who do this voluntarily. (no pay) I would love to just plan the powwow and not have to worry about having enough money. I would also like to be able to advertise the payout on our flyers, but we can't cuz we are usually still raising money. I think it is a GREAT idea. Now I'm just wondering how successful corporate sponsorship is going to be. If this works, I'm pretty sure it will be another step toward a Professional Powwow circuit.

01-13-2006, 04:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
CloudN9ne Lavender Hill Mobb Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Tha Rez Posts: 205	my uncle russell is right %100.......our powwow back home is funded by the people and other sponsers, i bet taxes will be involved............... __________________ "Go Make Sweat!!!" -Sonny Kennedy- 2003 don't get mad at me im just a critic

01-14-2006, 08:36 PM	#14 (permalink)
uw_n8iv Powwow Chair Carrier Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ellensburg for school; yakama is home Posts: 559	More Power to 'em! It's a sad side of reality that some people judge HOW GOOD A CELEBRATION is by the amount of money that goes into it and pay-outs. But those people exist and the committee is just responding to that side of the powwow. For me, I'm going to Rocky Boy powwow this year whether they have big payouts or small. The committee and the community treated me so well before. They really took care of this visitor, so I'm headed back to the powwow to pay my respects to the elders, visit with my adopted family, and celebrate the community. __________________ there's no "i" in Yakama My Website