Chief Lookingglass PowWow

Chief Lookingglass PowWow See you August 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 2026, in beautiful Kamiah, Idaho. 🪶 If it's pointed at you, you should be dancing. She does so herself.

Chief Looking Glass (Allalimya Takanin c.1832-1877) was a Nez Perce principal architect of many of the military strategies employed by the Nez Perce.

1996 KAMIAH, Idaho - Beware of the whip of Delores Lookingglass Wheeler. Wheeler was the whip woman at this year's 20th Chief Lookingglass Powwow in Kamiah, responsible for getting the grand entry in order. She doesn't strike anyone, but she will re

mind dancers by pointing to show the power of the dance. "Dance is kind of like medicine to me," 70-year-old Wheeler said. Wheeler and her two sisters, Edith Lookingglass Strombeck, 64, and Nancy Lookingglass Johns, 68, are descendants of Chief Lookingglass and the instigators of a powwow that began 20 years ago on the centennial anniversary of the Nez Perce War. "We were just going to have it one year," Wheeler said. Two decades later, the three women sat in lawn chairs alongside the action, smiling at their daughters, granddaughters and other relatives who have taken the lead in making the powwow happen every year. The three-day event was beaded with traditional dancing, food, memorials and name-giving ceremonies. Tents, teepees and trailers surrounded the powwow's grass dance floor that would become a swirl of dance at dusk. Vendors, dancers and travelers came from many tribes and many states to be in Kamiah among friends and families.

06/13/2026
Both Ashley and Elsie can be found on Facebook!
06/10/2026

Both Ashley and Elsie can be found on Facebook!

A few months before the 50th Annual Powwow, the Idaho State Historical Society honored the Chief Lookingglass Powwow wit...
06/05/2026

A few months before the 50th Annual Powwow, the Idaho State Historical Society honored the Chief Lookingglass Powwow with one of the 2026 Esto Perpetua Awards in Boise, ID. Accepting the award on behalf of the Chief Lookingglass Powwow was Delores Broncheau who was accompanied by James and Feather Holt.

Copied from the ISHS website: Named for Idaho’s state motto—Esto Perpetua, meaning “Let it be perpetual”—this distinguished award celebrates the individuals and organizations whose efforts safeguard the stories, places, and traditions that define the Gem State.

Presented annually by the Idaho State Historical Society, the Esto Perpetua Awards honor those who go above and beyond to preserve and promote Idaho’s rich historical and cultural legacy. From restoring historic landmarks and conserving collections to sharing Idaho’s stories through education, scholarship, and community engagement, award recipients embody the spirit of stewardship and service.

Since its inception in 1999, more than 200 Idahoans—historians, tribal members, educators, volunteers, civic leaders, and cultural organizations—have been recognized for their extraordinary contributions. Their dedication ensures that Idaho’s diverse heritage is not only protected, but shared with future generations.

Each year, the ISHS brings together communities from across the state for an uplifting celebration of these honorees and the powerful impact of their work. The Esto Perpetua Awards ceremony is a moving tribute to those who help keep Idaho’s past alive—today, and always.

2026 Esto Perpetua Honorees
American Dog Derby, Ashton
Paul Bunyan Days, St. Maries
Chief Lookingglass Pow-Wow, Kamiah
Grangeville Border Days, Grangeville
Idaho Days-Franklin, ID
Idaho Veterans Parade, Boise
Jaialdi, Boise
Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival, Fort Hall
National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival, Weiser
Wagon Days, Ketchum
Wallace Fall for History Festival

Outgoing royalty special at Lookingglass weekend! Richard Axtell has the 411.
05/27/2026

Outgoing royalty special at Lookingglass weekend! Richard Axtell has the 411.

See you there!
04/30/2026

See you there!

Spaghetti feed in Kamiah.
04/21/2026

Spaghetti feed in Kamiah.

Big shout out to our newest top fans! đź’Ž Darek Whitman, Ceara Vera, Jesse ThunderBoy, Kami Strombeck, Anthony Ortiz, Rose...
02/13/2026

Big shout out to our newest top fans! đź’Ž Darek Whitman, Ceara Vera, Jesse ThunderBoy, Kami Strombeck, Anthony Ortiz, Rosella Evans, Edward Lozon, Jesse James, Dwight Ike Gibler, Sammi Jo, BJ Belisle, Jean Aitken, Chenoa Roebuck Knight, Jacqueline Lyn Crowe, Steve Howland

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

First call for powwow people in the place to be! Celebrating 50 years this summer! Mark the calendar!
01/15/2026

First call for powwow people in the place to be! Celebrating 50 years this summer! Mark the calendar!

Address

Wa-A'Yas Community Center, 401 Idaho Street
Kamiah, ID

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