The third annual Moving Forward Together Powwow returns to the Rafter 3C Arena in Fallon, May 30 -June 1, offering an intertribal gathering, dance, and celebration. The free, family-friendly, alcohol-free event honors Native tradition, resilience, and community, all centered in the heart of Churchill County.
This year's Host Drum is the Black Lodge Singers, one of the most respected northern-style drum groups on the powwow circuit. Led by Kenny Scabby Robe (Blackfeet), his wife Louise (Yakama), and their 12 sons, the group has traveled the U.S. and Canada since 1981, recording more than 20 albums and sharing their sound across generations.
Returning as Master of Ceremonies is Hank Johnson, a well-known voice in powwow circles. A member of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and of Washoe and Paiute heritage, Johnson is a Northern Traditional dancer who blends cultural leadership with humor and mentorship. He lives in Hungry Valley and is known for supporting youth both in the arena and through sports programs. Known affectionately as "Uncle Hank," his presence brings warmth and familiarity to the arena.
Arena Director Jerry Bear comes from Skull Valley, Utah, and represents Southern Paiute and Goshute heritage. He's been part of the powwow world since he was a kid and has spent the past 31 years directing and announcing across the West. Off the dance grounds, Jerry works as a heavy equipment operator and Assistant Fire Chief, but powwow is a family affair—he travels with his wife Leanne, their sons, and now a granddaughter who lights up the family circle. His small business, Bear Sound Systems, has supported Native events across the West for nearly three decades.
This year's Head Dancers are William Koipa Dick and Shirley Cypher.
William, 23, is from the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe and has been dancing Northern Traditional since he could walk. Representing his community with pride, William will host the All Men's Traditional Special on Saturday night, a high-energy contest that invites men of all ages and backgrounds to take the floor.
Shirley Cypher, from the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, will serve as Head Lady Dancer. A lifelong powwow participant, Shirley is best known for her love of jingle dress dancing and her upbeat, welcoming spirit. She will host the Women's Old Style Jingle Special (ages 13+), with prizes awarded for first, second, and third place.
Other specials throughout the day include:
- Orange Dress Special – Hosted by Lida George, ages 13+, Saturday afternoon.
- Boot and Hat Special – Sponsored by the Buckaroo Traditions Gathering, honoring Nevada's buckaroo and cowboy families. Saturday afternoon, open to all ages.
- Red Dress Special – Sponsored by War Party Ranch, with a grand prize trip for the winning dancer and two friends to attend a bison field harvest in Montana this fall. Includes hands-on training in butchering and fieldwork (travel not included; room and board provided).
In addition to the powwow, the Great Basin Tribal Alliance Meeting will be held Friday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Barrel Room at the Churchill County Fairgrounds. Hosted by the Fort McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and supported by the Intertribal Agriculture Council, the gathering is open to tribal leadership, youth, elders, and allies.
The Moving Forward Together Powwow is more than a cultural event—it's a shared space for stories, songs, and survival. Elders, parents, and children gather shoulder to shoulder, keeping traditions alive not through memory alone, but through motion, music, and shared breath in the dance arena. Whether it's your first powwow or your fiftieth, there's space in the circle for all.
Indigenous Arts Market and Youth Voice Night, May 30, Social Powwow, May 31 – June 1. For details, visit facebook.com/MFTPowwow. Everyone is welcome.
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