NWC News Desk

Nov. 18 Buffalo Feast features Black Whistle drum group

Posted November 1, 2011
By NWC News Desk

POWELL, Wyo. - In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the Native Ways student organization at Northwest College will host its annual Buffalo Feast at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in the Rendezvous Lounge of the DeWitt Student Center on campus.

The Black Whistle Singers will provide the entertainment this year. This well-known drum group, based out of Lodge Grass, Mont., on the Crow Reservation, has been together for over 20 years. Their musical journey began when one of the members found a stop sign lying by the side of a road. He took it home, added legs, and with sticks and duct tape a drum was born.

Black Whistle’s 1995 debut album, “Keeping Tradition Alive,” celebrates the deep-rooted traditions of the Crow Nation. Whether performing at powwows, ceremonies, graduations, birthday parties or other events their powerful music captures and celebrates stories about Native American culture through the heartbeat of the drum and vocal accompaniment of the singers.

Drum group member Johnny Tim Yellowtail is an archaeological technician enrolled at Northwest and a member of the campus Native Ways Club. Last summer he participated in an archeological field camp hosted by NWC and the National Park Service.

The program follows the traditional feast featuring buffalo roast and foods indigenous to the Americas, and has been part of NWC’s culture for over 15 years.

Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under, and $8 for Northwest College students.  Advance reservations are required by Monday, Nov. 14.

Email or call Mary Baumann at 307-754-6138 for ticket and event information.