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As far back as 1953, Sheridan, Wyoming was host to All American Indian days, which highlighted the Miss Indian America Pageant and included contestants from all areas of the United States. These events came at a critical time in our country’s history, and helped to build cultural bridges between the Native America and non-Native Sheridan communities, as well as visitors who came to take part in the incredible cultural festivities. While All American Indian Days and the Miss Indian America pageant nearly disappeared around 1989, several patrons in the Sheridan community have worked diligently to revive this important part of our history and heritage.
In 2013, the First People’s Pow Wow became a part of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo week festivities that occur here each year in July. Since its inception in 1931, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo is one of the top rodeo events in the United States, bringing locals and visitors from all around the world. The event has evolved throughout the years, taking place in various locations, and being organized by a number of organizations. In a continued effort to keep the Pow Wow traditions alive, theDowntown Sheridan Association (DSA) began managing the event in 2018. DSA formed a committee that consisted of members from the Crow Tribe as well as DSA staff and volunteers.
Currently, the First People’s Pow Wow is made up of Crow Nation tribe members from the Crow Indian Reservation. Crow Tribe members have an incredible presence in the annual Sheridan WYO Rodeo Parade: on Rodeo Friday their attendance includes warriors on horseback and outriders at their sides. Following the parade, the Pow Wow kicks off on the lawn of the Historic Sheridan Inn with the Crow tribe members dressed in full traditional regalia, ready to dance.
The traditional Pow Wow officially begins with the drummers and is led by a Veteran Crow member in order to continue the tradition of honoring the warriors that have gone to war to protect their land and country. As stated by tribal elder and historian, Leonard Bends, “The drums are the heartbeat of earth – they start all the activity for the children of mother earth. We are the children of mother earth.” Guided by the beat of the drums, the Crow dancers participate in traditional dances, each portraying how they feel and connect to the earth.
After two years on hiatus (due to the pandemic), the Pow Wow returned this past summer, attracting a high number of spectators and local Native Americans ready to show their love for the traditional, sacred dance. The annual event brings American Indian culture and heritage both to our community and to visitors traveling to spend time at the WYO Rodeo. The Pow Wow makes a meaningful difference and impacts the lives of the Native American families who participate in the event, while continuing to bridge cultural divides – creating a genuine understanding and appreciation for the First People.
Two Main Street America (MSA) Coordinating Programs, Virginia Main Street and Wisconsin Main Street, have been selected to participate in the Unlocking Capital on Main Street Program, funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).
Green Bay, Wisconsin © On Broadway Inc.
We gathered seven blogs and resources that uplift Black voices, dive into complicated histories, and provide strategies for deeper and more diverse community engagement.
February is Black History Month! © Fotowerks
Black Cultural Zone CEO Carolyn Johnson shares their new neighborhood development initiative, Rise East.
Diana Schwartz at River District Association shares the civil rights history of Danville, Virginia, and the ways that the community recognizes the past while creating a more inclusive future.
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Beloit, Kansas © Shane Hampton
Erin Barnes spoke to Frances Jo Hamilton at Heritage Ohio about the importance of stepping up for our communities.
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MSA President and CEO Erin Barnes explores how a holiday market in a public park brought a new focus on growing humanitarian needs in downtown city centers.
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Hillsboro, Oregon © Alicia Gallo
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Downtown Ruston, Louisiana. Photo by Henry McCoy.
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© Mayor Randall Woodfin
In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Derrick Braziel, owner of Pata Roja Taqueria and co-founder of MORTAR, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Learn how Albany, Georgia, recognizes their civil rights legacy and supports the African American community today.
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Gardnerville, NV © Main Street Gardnerville
Tasha Sams shared their experiences at this unique Appalachian cultural festival.
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Tulsa, OK © Kendall Whittier Main Street
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Rio Grande City, TX © Rio Grande City
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© Allapattah CDC
Learn how this Massachusetts community uses their farmer's market to increase access to fresh food.
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Dearborn, MI © H2BE
Do you want to support the next generation of Main Street leadership! Start a youth board! Learn how Historic Downtown Clinton set theirs up and how your organization can benefit from one.
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Miami, FL © NTHP
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Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer Photography
Community Development Block Grants are powerful tools for Main Street programs. Learn more about how CDBG's can be applied to our work and how you can advocate for the program
Main Street America was awarded $5.9 million to support 20 communities in the Main Streets Community of Practice through the Department of Transportation's Thriving Communities Program over the next two years.
We spoke to Debbie Ho, Executive Director at Chinatown Main Street, to learn about the history of women in Boston Chinatown.
Boston, MA © Kyle Klein
Meet the newest recipients of this grant program to build stronger, more prosperous small towns and rural communities
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Dublin, GA © Visit Dublin GA
Learn about the City of Boston’s efforts to invest in economic equity.
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Wixom, MI © Carissa Serylo
Storytelling is a critical part of the placemaking work that we do in Main Street districts. But are we sharing every story equally?
Jonesborough, TN © Jay Huron
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Camden, AR © Kimberly Moore Davis
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Erie, PA © Dave Tamulonis
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Stockbridge, GA © Stockbridge Main Street
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Charles Town, WV © Elizabeth Ricketts
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Thomasville, GA © City of Thomasville
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El Reno, OK © El Reno Main Street
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Tulsa, OK © Kendall Whittier Main Street
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Memphis, TN © Four Way
Heart of Biddeford shares the strategies they developed to support Black-owned businesses in their community.
Biddeford, ME © Heart of Biddeford
This May marked the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We explored the impact and legacy of this tragic event.
Tulsa, OK © Dr. Tiffany Crutcher
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Fremont, CA © Fremont Economic Development
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San Luis Obispo, CA © Downtown SLO
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Brooksville, FL © Brooksville Main Street
For Black History Month, we want to recognize and celebrate the Black business owners and entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges and obstacles in launching and running their own businesses, thanks to resilience, creativity, and hard work.
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Milwaukee, WI © Historic King Drive BID
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San Luis Obispo, CA © Downtown SLO
Main Street programs around the Network have created engaging and COVID-safe ways to honor and celebrate the histories and lives of Black Americans in their commercial districts.
Meet some amazing women business owners!
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Our research team dug into some of the data about the state of Black-owned businesses on Main Street, the structural challenges they face, and how Main Streets can support them.
Since 2013, Try This West Virginia has sought to improve health environments in local communities as a collaboration of organizations working together to combat the health challenges facing West Virginians.
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The Zuni Pueblo MainStreet is the nation's first (and so far, only) Native American Main Street community.
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Across the county, communities are embracing the arts as a catalyst for revitalization—of buildings, businesses, and local culture.
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Appealing to mobility-challenged shoppers yields benefits beyond the store.
Main Street America is committed to helping build inclusive communities. Homelessness is an increasingly important issue facing Main Street communities big and small, urban and rural.
To understand the role that immigrant business owners play in Boston’s small business ecosystem, you need only to walk through any Boston Main Streets district.
New arrivals have made Shaw more diverse.
Preserving diverse populations, not just buildings.
