Reversing an earlier decision, the Colville Tribes will now allow previously canceled stick games and a powwow to go one, but only vaccinated people can attend.

The Star received an email announcing the decision late Wednesday morning, after the printing this week's issue. The decision was made by 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Below is the new press release:

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation has decided to let the powwow and stick games set for September proceed, provided that each event will require all participants to show proof of vaccination such as a vaccination card. The stick games are scheduled for this coming Labor Day weekend, while the powwow is scheduled for September 23-25. Participants must be fully vaccinated. Children under 12 will not need to show proof of vaccination as they are not yet eligible to take the vaccine. Any person who has been deemed medically ineligible to take the vaccine may show a doctor’s note. Chairman Andy Joseph, Jr. stated, “The protection given by vaccines will be enough to let these events move forward. Also, I truly believe in our traditional and spiritual ways to bring healing. I ask our people who take part to put a prayer on the songs they sing, and to dance a prayer for all our people who are sick and cannot dance.”

Earlier story from press release

The powwow and stick games scheduled for September in Nespelem have been canceled due to COVID-19 danger with over 50 active cases on the reservation.

As of Aug. 30, the Colville Reservation had 54 active cases of the disease, half of them in Nespelem, according to an information update on the tribal website.

The cancellation “comes after local COVID-19 infections spiked following the Omak Stampede,” an Aug. 27 press release from the Colville Tribes reads. 

“COVID-19 cases are on the rise again around the Colville Reservation, with infections

returning to levels not seen in months,” the release reads. “A new variant of the virus known as the Delta variant is proving to be much more contagious than the original strain of COVID-19.

“While the available vaccines still afford a high level of protection against even the Delta

variant of COVID-19, and many people on the Reservation have been vaccinated, many

people on the Reservation have not yet taken the vaccine even though they are eligible. Also, children under 12 are not eligible for vaccination.”

The stick games, taking place separately from the powwow, had originally been scheduled for July but were delayed due to the nearby Chuweah Creek fire until Labor Day weekend. 

The Colville Business Council was scheduled to meet on Aug. 30 “to address what other measures are necessary to protect the community,” but CBC Chairman Andy Joseph, Jr. was unavailable for comment Tuesday. “Options include closing down other large public events and considering how to increase the vaccination rate as much as possible,” the release said.

“We know our people love events like the powwow and stick games, but our goal since the day we first heard of COVID-19 has been to protect the lives and health of all residents on Colville lands,” Joseph said in the release. “We will do what is necessary to keep people safe, especially our young children, who remain completely vulnerable to the virus until a vaccine is developed for them.”

The chairman said it is, “more important than ever that every eligible person over the age of 12 be vaccinated against COVID-19. This vaccine is safe, effective, and free.

People with medical conditions should consult with their own doctor but, for most

people, this vaccine is safer than aspirin. When you get vaccinated, you not only protect

yourself, but you also protect everyone around you because the more people are

vaccinated, the harder it is for the virus to spread. Please get vaccinated and protect

yourself and others, especially the children who cannot yet be vaccinated.”