A quick stop to visit family on our way home from Canada turned out to be a highlight of our whole trip. We were lucky to catch North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana, where Britnee’s grandmother lives. It is the largest Blackfeet tribal event that draws Native Americans from across the U.S. and Canada to the reservation in Northern Montana for a lively and colorful celebration.

For the full effect, click here for a soundtrack to go along with these photos.

Photos taken with a Canon 5D Mark III.

Entering the Blackfeet Nation from the North after returning from Canada.

Entering the Blackfeet Nation from the north after returning from Canada.

Young children sit on a car during a parade through Browning, Montana during North American Indian Days.

Young children sit on a car during a parade through Browning, Montana during North American Indian Days.

A parade makes its way through Browning, Montana during North American Indian Days.

A parade makes its way through Browning, Montana during North American Indian Days.

The pow wow was just one of many festivities that took place in Browning during the annual celebration.

Dance competitions were just some of the many festivities that took place in Browning during the annual celebration.

Watching women dance in jingle dress at North American Indian Days.

Watching women dance in jingle dress at North American Indian Days.

Watching women dance in jingle dress at North American Indian Days.

Watching women dance in jingle dress at North American Indian Days.

Surrounding the humble arena in Browning, the camp was a mix of trailers, tents, and teepees.

Surrounding the humble arena in Browning, the massive camp was a mix of trailers, tents, and teepees.

A young dancer poses for a quick photo while preparing for competition at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

A young dancer poses for a quick photo while preparing for competition at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Accommodations for competitors at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Accommodations for competitors at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Competitors from tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada prepare to enter the arena at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Competitors from tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada prepare to enter the arena at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

A dancer stands for a portrait before competing at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

A dancer stands for a portrait before competing at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers prepare to enter the arena during North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers prepare to enter the arena during North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

A dancer is bathed in evening light as he prepares to enter the ring during during the pow wow at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

A dancer is bathed in evening light as he prepares to enter the ring during during the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

The annual North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

The Grand Entry at the annual North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers from tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada enter the arena during North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers from tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada enter the arena during North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers from tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada enter the arena during North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers from tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada enter the arena during the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers from tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada enter the arena during North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers from tribes throughout the U.S. and Canada enter the arena during North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers enter the arena during the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers enter the arena during the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers enter the arena during the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Dancers enter the arena during the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

A humble arena comes to life with drums, chanting, and dancers during the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

A humble arena comes to life with drums, chanting, and dancers during the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

A dancer stands for a portrait after the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

A dancer stands for a portrait after the Grand Entry at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

The sun sets as festivities continue at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

The sun sets as festivities continue at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Intricate bead work adorns a young woman at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Intricate beadwork adorns a young woman at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Young kids entertain themselves by wrestling outside the pow wow at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

Young kids entertain themselves by wrestling outside the pow wow at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

The moon rises as festivities continue at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

The moon rises as festivities continue at North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

As the day ends, festivities continue late into the night during North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

As the day ends, festivities continue late into the night during North American Indian Days in Browning, Montana.

If you missed it, here’s the reason we drove north in the first place: Banff National Park in Canada.

About The Author

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Mark quit everything to travel the world for a year with his wife, Britnee. Along the way, he picked up a love for many other things, including illy coffee, Nepal, Bolivianos bills, and Thai beaches. Now happily home in Utah, Mark is a balding marketing professional with a mountain biking addiction.

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