BEMIDJI — Hundreds of spectators were treated to a rousing display of unity on Saturday during the first-ever Bemijigamaag Powwow inside the Sanford Center.

In an unprecedented moment of solidarity, the three tribal chairs of the reservations surrounding Bemidji walked together with city officials in the grand entry procession that opened the festivities.

They were closely followed by dozens of dancers of every age, garbed in traditional regalia. A special contingent of American Indian veterans bore the flags of both the U.S. and tribal nations.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton was on hand to watch the grand entry and offer brief remarks that encouraged togetherness.

“We are all Americans, all Minnesotans, and we are all one people,” he said.

Dayton urged Minnesotans to continue working together to make sure “our children and our grandchildren” are unified even further.

The tribal chairs of Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth presented Bemidji Mayor Rita Albrecht with flags representing their band, to be displayed inside the Sanford Center. Albrecht gave the chairs blankets and tobacco, symbolizing friendship and respect for Indian culture.

“I hope the friendships we make here today will grow beyond this event and our community will continue on a path of inclusiveness and respect to one another,” Albrecht said.

White Earth Chairwoman Erma Vizenor said the powwow strengthened the bond between her band and the city of Bemidji.

“Change in the world involves relationships,” she said. “We are building those relationships every day.”

Albrecht said the powwow had been in the making for eight years, and had its origins in a survey that said 90 percent of respondents wanted to know more about American Indian culture.

Dr. Anton Treuer, director of Bemidji State University’s American Indian Resource Center, expressed hope the powwow would lead to healing and understanding between cultures, moments before he joined the traditional dancers in the procession.

“I’m hoping that we’ll get a chance to get to know one another,” he said. “Something like reconciliation isn’t just an event, it’s a process, but this is part of the process. I think it’s very welcome. It shows that a lot of people care, that a lot of tribal people and a lot of non-Native people are all engaged in it together.”

Events planned to follow the grant entry included a hand drum contest, a communal feast served by members of the Bemidji City Council and area legislators, and a second grand entry with two step dance and category dancing.