NEW TOWN – The Little Shell Celebration held Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 7-10, west of New Town, brings to an end the MHA Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes)-sponsored outdoor celebrations of the season.

Weather had an impact on the event, with rain, winds and hail forecasted Thursday, stormy but OK on Friday, rain on Saturday and hot, humid and hazy, the latter from wildfires in Canada.

A major topic of the celebration was the Kirby Reynolds Memorial Grass Dance special. By the end of the competition, the winner had danced to more than 20 songs in two days. North Dakota would throw some of the roughest summer weather at Daryl Bearstail, who endured all of it to win the grand prize of $30,000. Bearstail, a champion dancer from Bismarck, has many relatives who are also champion dancers.

Another big competition is drumming. Northern Cree from Canada was among the drum groups. The Northern Cree group has been nominated for Grammys and also played at the Grammy Awards.

Despite the weather, families and friends gathered for Little Shell, traditionally the last and biggest celebration on Fort Berthold Reservation. Lake Sakakawea, the RV park, swim park, 4 Bears Casino and its boat offered breaks from the weather and slow times at the celebration.