The Wasay Wakpa Wachi Powwow is held annually in Lodge Pole, Montana, a small community within the Fort Belknap Reservation, during the third weekend of July. The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is the homeland of the Assiniboine (Nakoda) and Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) Tribes. It is located forty miles south of the Canadian border and twenty miles north of the Missouri River.

The Wasay Wakpa Wachi Powwow (also known as the Red Paint Creek Powwow) is a vibrant celebration of Native American culture, featuring dance competitions, intertribal dances, captivating storytelling and a rich display of arts and crafts that reflect the creativity and resilience of Indigenous cultures.

The setting is as inspiring as the celebration itself, where colorful regalia, rhythmic drumbeats, and graceful dancing take center stage. The powwow grounds lie along the banks of Red Paint Creek, surrounded by sweeping prairie grasslands that give rise to the Little Rocky Mountains.

The Powwow is a cherished gathering where diverse tribes and communities come together to honor their heritage, forge connections and share in the rich tapestry of Indigenous traditions. While gathering with family, friends, and new acquaintances, attendees enjoy a variety of traditional foods, such as frybread, as well as contemporary fare. The Wasay Wakpa Wachi Powwow fosters a spirit of unity, cultural exchange and pride, while offering a meaningful space for both honoring ancestors and inspiring future generations.

Just a short drive away, the Fort Belknap Museum and Cultural Center in Harlem features rotating exhibits, cultural artifacts, and educational programming that offer additional insight into the Assiniboine (Nakoda) and Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) peoples, deepening the understanding of life on the reservation and the traditions celebrated at the powwow.