The reunion, held Aug. 31-Sept. 3, was the first time all chiefs of the Pawnee Nation visited – Pat Leading Fox, Adrian Spottedhorsechief, Morgan Little Sun, Matt Reed, Gilbert Beard and Frank Adson. Leading Fox is principal chief.

“We had a committee of several community people,” said Austin Gillette, coordinator of the reunion at White Shield. “(We had) great support from Chairman (Mark) Fox and Dr. Monica Mayer.” Fox is chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation) and Mayer is North Segment representative to the tribal business council.

The committee besides Gillette included Richard White Bear, chief of the Arikara (Sahnish); Fred Fox, East Segment (White Shield) representative to the tribal business council; Anthony Lone Fight, Tom Wells, Wayne Flute, Gerilyn Yellow Bird, Daniele Henry and Jonelle Abe.

Herb Adson was the Pawnee Reunion coordinator. Sixty people from the Pawnee Nation attended the White Shield event.

Submitted Photo Adrian Spottedhorsechief, a Pawnee chief, brother Pius Spottedhorsechief and Arthur Sonny Boy Fields visit Crow Flies High, a point near New Town, during the Arikara-Pawnee Reunion held Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at White Shield. Photo by Karen LoneFight.

Reunion activities included a pontoon ride on Lake Sakakawea, a powwow and parade, and visits to the MHA Interpretive Center and Crow Flies High point near New Town.

Next year the plans are for the Arikara of White Shield to travel to Oklahoma for the reunion.

Submitted Photo Austin Gillette, former chairman of the Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation) and former longtime White Shield representative to the tribal business council, shows the gift he received from the Pawnee Nation in this photo by Karen LoneFight. Gillette was the coordinator of the Arikara-Pawnee Reunion held Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at White Shield.