With the exception of a three-year lapse because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the spring Mini Contest Powwow has been held every year in Farmington since 2006. The event Saturday, May 6, drew area drummers, dancers and vendors.

Orie Lowe of Shiprock said she started dancing at about 5 years old and grew up doing the “old style Jingle.” Lowe said what she likes most about dancing is “the song and seeing people smile.”

According to Myra Newman, Farmington Indian Center division manager, the event is called the Mini Contest Pow Wow, in part, because it attracts a “small group of people and is very casual and intimate.”

Newman said the event was held at Farmington Museum this year because it offered a location that would attract the public’s attention. “I think we have a good amount of spectators coming and going throughout the day,” she said.

Most of the dancers were local, according to Newman. She said two other powwows were happening the same weekend in Montezuma, Utah, and in Albuquerque.

Powwows create the opportunity to reflect on time-honored traditions, while educating future generations of dancers and singers. All tribal backgrounds are invited to join together at future spring powwows to share experiences, reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

The powwow offered a colorful and lively atmosphere, with dance competitions that awarded winners small cash prizes. Newman said the smaller prizes were one of reasons for calling it a “Mini Powwow.”

The Gord Dance for men, held at 10 a.m. kicked off the event, which was scheduled to run to about 8 p.m. Newman said the length of the powwow depends on the number of dancers.

For males, the traditional powwow dances are Fancy, Grass, Prairie Chicken and Traditional, with some variations between northern and southern dances. The female dance styles are Fancy, Jingle and Traditional, again with some variations between northern and southern styles.

Newman said the event attracted dancers and guests mainly from Farmington and the surrounding areas.

Arts and crafts, jewelry and T-shirt vendors were set up on the south side of the museum. All craft vendors were required to sell only handmade items, according to Newman.

Leona Largo, originally from Lake Valley near Chaco Canyon, lives in Farmington and makes a wide array of jewelry. Largo said she makes very colorful, new-era designs, including stone-carved turtles, horsehair and powwow necklaces, resin jewelry and native style headbands.

“Bamboo, turquoise, sea shells – you name it – we got it,” Largo said.

Ritchie Arviso and his girlfriend, Lindsay Tsosie, drove up from Albuquerque with T-shirts they offer under their Home Grown Trading Post brand. Their daughter, Aiyanna, participated in the contest as an Apache Shawl Dancer.

Food vendors included Annabelle's Good Navajo Food from Bloomfield, Kool Treats from Farmington and 505 Sweet Shack of Aztec.

“I think it’s good for the city, the local people,” Henry Paul, who lives near Bloomfield, said. His daughter, Sophia, performed the Jingle Dance.