2018 marked the 7th Annual Bay Area American Indian Two Spirit Powwow, now the largest Two-Spirit powwow in North America. The BAAITS powwow has been growing every year, and for the past two years has found it’s home at the Fort Mason Festival Pavilion in San Francisco California. The theme at the powwow was “Coming Back into The Circle: Restoring and reclaiming the role of Two-Spirit people.”
Ken Harper states “Our mission was based on our belief that in creating these forums we accomplish many important goals. First, in re-establishing our identity as Two-Spirited People, we re-connect with the positive aspects of our Native American Heritage. Secondly, we also wanted to create the educational and social opportunities necessary for our development as flourishing individuals… able to contribute to a vibrant American society free of homophobia. Thirdly, our work would serve to give visibility and educate communities at local and national levels, both within and beyond the LGBTI and Native American communities.”
For more information on Two Spirit people within our Tribal communities, click here.
MCs for the powwow were L. Frank Manriquez (Tongva/Ajachmem), and Coy McLemore (Kiowa), Marc Goggles-Keka (Wichita and Affiliated Tribes) as Arena Director.
Head Dancers were Candi Brings Plenty (Oglala Lakota), John M Sneezy (San Carlos Apache), and Jarron William Richard Goggles-Lahr (Blackfeet, Northern Arapaho)
Host Drums Southern Pride Family Drum from OK, and Red Hoop from Gardnerville NV.
This was the first year that as a writer for www.powwows.com, I danced as well as took photos of the powwow. I am a jingle dress dancer, and truly enjoyed the feeling of this powwow. Everyone was very relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. It was a great powwow and it felt good to come back to the circle.
Please enjoy some of the photos I took at the 2018 BAAITS powwow.
