Northeast of the Flathead Valley where the rocky mountains of Glacier Park drop abruptly into the rolling hills of the eastern plains lies Browning, Montana, home of the annual North American Indian Days.

This yearly celebration hosts Native Americans from every region of the United States and Canada and is always held the second week in July over four days. Although this year’s North American Indian Days have now passed mark your calendars for 2009, as the weekend has the makings of a unique adventure that will leave your camera burgeoning with mind blowing photos.

Some of the events throughout the four days include a Stick Game Tournament, Indian Relay and Horse Racing, Memorial Rodeo and Carnival, Fun Run, Parade, Dance and Drum Competitions. We recommend arriving on the morning of the parade and then heading over to the powwow grounds to hear the drums and watch the dance competitions.

Start your day with the parade, and bring a lawn chair and sunscreen. Pull up to the curb of Highway 89 to be treated to colorful floats, horses of all shapes and sizes and of course the occasional airborne piece of candy. You’ll have to be quick; the treats are agilely snatched up by enthusiastic children lining the street.

After the parade head to the powwow grounds for the dance and drum competitions. Transformed by numerous teepees, the grounds feature concessionaires offering food and crafts, and at its heart is the dance circle where the competitions take place.

While entrance to the dance circle is free you’ll need to purchase a pass to take photos or video. The fee is well worth it. The costumes are gorgeous, brilliant and ornate and the people are nimble and proud.

Don’t forget to explore the Museum of the Plains Indian and the Blackfoot Heritage Center & Art Gallery. Founded in 1941, The Museum of the Plains Indian offers a permanent exhibit highlighting the historic arts and cultures of the tribal peoples of the Northern Plains, including the Blackfeet, Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Sioux, Assiniboine, Arapaho, Shoshone, Nez Perce, Flathead, Chippewa and Cree. Also included are two special exhibition galleries with changing shows to promote the creative works of talented contemporary Native American artists and craftspeople.

Adjacent to the museum is The Blackfeet Heritage Center and Art Gallery, representing over 500 Native American artists, artisans, and craftspeople from 19 different North American tribes. The gallery is a great place to find such native made treasures as beadwork jewelry, purses and belts, paintings, pottery, textiles and sculpture.