ARLEE With a few drumbeats, the singing started and the Arlee powwow arena became electric.

Sundays grand entry, led by flag-bearers holding American, Canadian, Flathead Nation and Salish-Pend dOreille banner, began, stepping onto the floor in time with the drums, jingling bells.

After looping around one end, the flag-bearers stopped in the center of the floor while the line of dancers coiled tightly around them; circles of drummers lined the edge.

The youngest dancers were the last to enter the arena, almost 15 minutes after the procession started, melding into the swirl of color and beads, feather and fringe, bustle and leggings.

When the announcer -- barely audible -- told them to dance your style, the mix of dances heightened the energy.

Such was the scene Sunday afternoon at the 119thArlee Esyapqeyni, which wraps up Tuesday. The grand entry preceded a full day of dance and drumming competitions, with awards in six different categories and at least six different dances.

Not all of the drummers were there to compete: Reese Gray, his brother Jason Belcourt and their nephew were day-pay drummers during the grand entry and dance competitions. Theyd made the trip from Fort Belknap and the Rocky Boy Reservation to drum for a special occasion.

The brothers learned drumming and singing from their father, who started a family group, the Assiniboine Cree (named for their tribe), in 1978, Gray said.

Its kind of a way of life for us, Belcourt said. We travel every weekend.

The group regularly competes, Belcourt added, but said they enjoy the occasional powwow where they can relax and drum for fun.

Moments before the Grand Entry, R.C. Mowatt sat backwards on a folding chair in full regalia, his arms crossed, smoking a cigarette.

Ive been dancing a long time, Mowatt, a full-blooded Comanche, said. It was passed down as a family tradition.

Mowatt lives in Polson with his wife, Bobbie Orr, but is originally from Oklahoma.

Ive been dressed like this before and its 109 degrees, Mowatt said smiling. Its cooler up here.

Orr soon came over with their friend, Juanita Kinsel, who travels from New Mexico most every summer to visit family and friends, and attend the powwow.

She met the Orrs at the Arlee Powwow more than 20 years ago, and the two couples and their kids meet up year after year.

Thats kinda how the powwow goes, Orr said.

Orr, whos been dancing for about as long as Mowatt -- 25 years -- had an intricately beaded buckskin robe on, with a heart-flower designed by her grandmother.

She beaded the outfit -- moccasins, leggings, robe, as well as Mowatts -- herself.

I was pregnant and needed something to do, Orr said.

She based the design off of photos of her grandmothers handmade wedding dress and, after about 12 years she estimated, finished her and Mowatts outfits.

Its a continuous thing, Orr explained. Now I need to make repairs.

After the Grand Entry, the dancers moved to the edges of the arena and Stephen Small Salmon, holding the Salish Pend dOreille banner, stepped forward to pray in Salish.

He followed with an introduction in English.

We have to explain: What are we doing? Small Salmon began. Were not just dancing around. This is medicine. A medicine circle.

The beat of the drum gets us. It purifies us.

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"This is medicine:" Tribal culture takes center stage at 119th Arlee Esyapqeyni - The Missoulian