Honoring Pow Wow tradition
Cristalyne Bell
Issue date: 4/28/10 Section: News
| |
| |
| |
|
Yet again, the gymnasium was packed full of people circling the arena where dancers of all ages and backgrounds performed to the beat of many talented drummers.
The festivities began with the beat of drums and the voices of native languages.
During the Grand Entry everyone stood to honor the Eagle Feather Staffs and various Nation and War Remembrance Flags that were carried by veterans. Following them were tribal leaders and an introduction to the individuality of dancers in their traditional dress.
There were five invited drums, all of which are from Wisconsin, and one host drum, the Grammy-nominated Northern Cree Singers from Canada.
Each group took turns setting a pace for the dancers. The drumming symbolized the heartbeat of both the Native American country and Mother Earth. Each song told stories while addressing topics of importance and values of tribal members such as honor and family, festivity and spirituality, sadness and mourning and joy and celebration.
All were welcome to participate and many did even in jeans and t-shirts. Many were soaked from perspiration of hard dancing for hours on end. Others used the time to chatter among friends while they unconsciously moved to the rhythmic beat.
There were also more serious and structured dances, called exhibit dancing, where only certain categories could compete. Each category of dancing had different origins and meanings, as well as unique style. They included Men and Women's Fancy, Traditional, men's Grass and women's Jingle dancing.
For hours the festivities proceeded with few pausing to recuperate. People shuffled in and out with new faces and attire appearing all the time. A traditional feast was provided and merchandise was available. Even Irene Bedard, the voice of Disney's "Pocahontas" and star from the well-known Native film "Smoke Signals" was present at this year's Pow Wow.
Be the first to comment on this story