17th Annual Meherrin Powwow Oct. 21-23, 2005 - Page 3

**Wojapi4Me** · 10-24-2005, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taani

Oh P.S. - For those of you that don't know what the heck I'm talking about.... Wayahsti Richardson (ONLY ONE in Men's Fancy) 2nd Place.

Dang, that's rugged!

3ndnbear · 10-24-2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lapis Queen

I knew this would come up. I have been fighting for the split categories for a long time. This year they just agreed to do Men. I totally understand that this not fair. I even said that when they mentioned it. Our only hope is that if another category doesn't show up, then we can take that money and split it among the Women's Northern Traditional. A long time ago at the meeting, the powers that be felt that there was not enough of the 2 separate categories to split them. Then Men's Southern Straight started showing up in droves. So they finally agreed on them, but said we don't have enough Women's No. that come to make a separate category. Let me say that I apologize for this (even though I was never for the ruling on this). My vision is to one day be able to have it separate for both Men and Women and not have to fight over it. Please accept my apology. I do hope that this doesn't deter you from coming. Like I said, there is usually a category that doesn't show up, maybe we can work with that.

LQ

they split women's traditional? hmmm.. interesting...

Kanku Dai Warrior · 10-24-2005, 02:27 PM

Taani, I agree with you girl. I can tell you this.....Me, my mom, Delwin & Drew Raoule missed Ge on Friday night & a spot check on Sun. We got stuck in traffic their flyer said to go on Rte 64 so we did. I figured it would be faster since they recommended this on the flyer but it turns out it took us 10 hours to get there from Philly. It only took us 6.5 to get back once we got the right information on directions. We should have gone straight 95 S to 158 E to 11. I couldn't believe that about 2nd place. Should get more not less. Drew did not place shocking - once again (4th place)!!!! He rolls with the punches though. Pauline should have placed (she did blanket). A round dance is a round dance!!!! We did not know what the judges were seeing but there was a woman out there on Sat. who wasn't even doing a round dance?????? Raoule got 2nd in teens (only 2). And by the way Delwin Fiddler Jr. placed 3rd in Men's Grass.
I will post some pics I have later.

Native Nations Dance Theater

Will tell you more when I see you. Going to Richmond?

No matter what keep on dancin'!!!!!!!!! That's my motto

taani · 10-24-2005, 03:28 PM

I called the tribe and spoke with the Chief. Basically he told me that Yahsti should have read the rules and decided whether or not he wanted to stay...otherwise he should have gone back home. He also asked me if Yahsti was there to just win. Ummmm, if you're gonna have a contest pw then, yes, of course he's there to compete. It's not his fault that no one else showed up in his category. He was there when the pw started on Friday evening. It's not fair.

**NDNQt** · 10-24-2005, 03:43 PM

Reading the rules are one thing but at most of the powwows out here people tend to trust the powwow committee that they aren't going to do them wrong. Did he tell you what that rule said so everyone can be on the lookout for it at other powwows??? (although I have never heard of it!)

**Wojapi4Me** · 10-24-2005, 04:03 PM

For those of us just reading this and curious, what was the rule?

taani · 10-24-2005, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singerdad

For those of us just reading this and curious, what was the rule?

I believe the rule was something to the effect of....

Should the category not fill up the contestant will get 2nd place or should there be only one contestant in a category the contestant will get 2nd place.

Maybe LQ can help me out on this one.

Lapis Queen · 10-24-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3ndnbear

they split women's traditional? hmmm.. interesting...

Yep... I beleive that I posted prior to the powwow that I would try to work it in and if I could then we would split the category. Well...only 2 competing drums showed up, so the committee chair decided to take that money for 3rd place and make a new category. That's why I told you to try and come and I would see what I could do. Now had 3 drums showed up, they would not have been split. So I held true to my word. I am sorry you missed it.

Oh and the rule said that if there was only one in a category then he/she would have to take 2nd.

This is a dumb rule. The powers that be originally stated that the entire category would be dropped if only 1 person showed up. I was livid, but I was out voted. The chair of the powwow committee and the chief came to a compromise that he/she would at least get some money, but it would only be 2nd place.

That is the rule. Everyone please email or call the tribe and let them know your feelings. They don't listen to me. Maybe they will listen to you or lose their powwow all together.

hobbs49 · 10-24-2005, 04:57 PM

I interrupt this review of the rules to say a few things :-)

First off, this was my first time at this powwow and while I was only able to be there on Saturday. I thought that it was a very good powwow. Now I didn't dance or sing so I'm not really going to get into the whole contest thang.

But the facilities were good. They had a covered dance area in case of rain (which didn't really come during the dancing). Plenty of really good music. Lots-o-dancers. Many vendors and different vendors than I've seen at other NC and VA dances. A good MC kept things on schedule. Good food. I saw friends with smiling faces. LSS and LQ doing a good job as head dancers. Plenty of Porta-Johns. Man it is really hard to think of something that didn't go well; with the exception of the one thing that everyone wants to focus on.

Well, I understand the concern, and honestly, it's a stupid rule especially since the man danced his a$$ off. He didn't just mail it in (on Saturday night at least). But I might suggest before everyone gets all down on this dance. Take a minute to reflect on the whole experience. I think that you'll find it was a good time.

Accentuate the Positive

Lapis Queen · 10-24-2005, 05:14 PM

Thanks for that hobbs49. There were a lot of good things. First off I need to say thank you to the Creator. The weather man said that it would rain all day Friday and all day Saturday. I prayed that this would not happen. My mom said she left for just a short while to run to my grandmother's to pick up something and she said no less than 10 miles down the street until she got to my grandmother's house, it rained extrememly hard the whole way there. But where we were it was NO rain. There was a time that it looked like rain all around us but the sun was shining over the powwow grounds. For that I am very thankful. The host drum was awesome and extremely friendly. They are a great bunch of guys and gals. The did very well all weekend and I am honored to have met them. Our MC is always great and on top of things. Just when you think there would be choas, he takes the reins and brings it back to order. The dancers were very friendly and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I asked several people several times throughout the weekend if they were enjoying themselves and they said yes. So I have a lot to be happy and thankful for.

Contest powwows never go like people want them. There is always stress that goes along with a contest powwow. I know b/c I leave a lot of contest powwows going why did this happen or feeling like so and so was cheated. It's hard to know what goes through the minds of judges when they place people. I guess most of us will never know. I know from experience that the styles of dancing these days are split between a contempory and traditional style of dancing. My husband and I talk about this all the time. It does seem that the contemporary/flashier dancers catch the eyes of the judges more so than those who dance the old school way. Maybe this topic would make a good thread if there isn't one already. And I feel that the old school traditionalist out there get over looked A LOT! This isn't fair I know. What do other people think? And like I said maybe this topic should be in a separate thread, but I know there was some discussion about this when the results came out about who placed.

Anyway...I digressed. But hobbs49 is right. There were a lot of good things that came out of this powwow. There were a lot of things that need to be changed and I hope the tribe takes all into consideration.

tigger · 10-24-2005, 05:16 PM

had a blast at this powwow................. the drums were jammin all weekend long. killer songs and great sounds. Medicine Tail, Stoney Creek, and not sure of the name of the third group, but ya'll rock.........keep up the good work.
Clark did a really good job as the Mc, with Jay keepin the dancers goin and doin the right stuff. Jay is awesome with his bright hats and shoes........LOL
Kristy and Jason did a spectacular job as the lead dancers all weekend.

i took 6 rolls of film so give me alittle bit to develop them and then go through them to see which ones that should be posted then i'll post them. if you want me to pm you when they go on the site, please let me know.

it was really good to see and talk to those of you that i know already and those that i didn't know but meet this weekend. it was great talking to you.

Lapis Queen · 10-24-2005, 05:20 PM

No up the nose shots either tigger! LOL

tigger · 10-24-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lapis Queen

No up the nose shots either tigger! LOL

just cause you put it on here, i'm going to put it in the galleries..........naw, i didn't take a pic like that. i promise......

**Kiwehnzii** · 10-24-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lapis Queen

Oh and the rule said that if there was only one in a category then he/she would have to take 2nd.

.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAwhewHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA (gasp)Hahahahahahahahahah whew That's a good one!

Sorry for laughing so hard, but that's funny.

10-24-2005, 02:27 PM	#43 (permalink)
Kanku Dai Warrior Tiny Tot Dancer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Indian Country Posts: 89	What happened here??? Taani, I agree with you girl. I can tell you this.....Me, my mom, Delwin & Drew Raoule missed Ge on Friday night & a spot check on Sun. We got stuck in traffic their flyer said to go on Rte 64 so we did. I figured it would be faster since they recommended this on the flyer but it turns out it took us 10 hours to get there from Philly. It only took us 6.5 to get back once we got the right information on directions. We should have gone straight 95 S to 158 E to 11. I couldn't believe that about 2nd place. Should get more not less. Drew did not place shocking - once again (4th place)!!!! He rolls with the punches though. Pauline should have placed (she did blanket). A round dance is a round dance!!!! We did not know what the judges were seeing but there was a woman out there on Sat. who wasn't even doing a round dance?????? Raoule got 2nd in teens (only 2). And by the way Delwin Fiddler Jr. placed 3rd in Men's Grass. I will post some pics I have later. Native Nations Dance Theater Will tell you more when I see you. Going to Richmond? No matter what keep on dancin'!!!!!!!!! That's my motto Last edited by Kanku Dai Warrior; 10-24-2005 at 07:08 PM. Reason: adding link to pictures

10-24-2005, 03:43 PM	#45 (permalink)
NDNQt PowWows.com Addicts Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Aylett, VA Posts: 1,076	Reading the rules are one thing but at most of the powwows out here people tend to trust the powwow committee that they aren't going to do them wrong. Did he tell you what that rule said so everyone can be on the lookout for it at other powwows??? (although I have never heard of it!) __________________ Becky B.

10-24-2005, 04:03 PM	#46 (permalink)
Wojapi4Me Kili! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Tha Rez Posts: 1,518	For those of us just reading this and curious, what was the rule? __________________ If pro is the opposite of con, then wouldn't progress be the opposite of...lol

10-24-2005, 05:20 PM	#52 (permalink)
Lapis Queen Junior Dancer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Raleigh Posts: 154	No up the nose shots either tigger! LOL Last edited by Lapis Queen; 10-24-2005 at 05:22 PM.

10-24-2005, 03:28 PM	#44 (permalink)
taani UNBELIEVEABLE! Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 323	I called the tribe and spoke with the Chief. Basically he told me that Yahsti should have read the rules and decided whether or not he wanted to stay...otherwise he should have gone back home. He also asked me if Yahsti was there to just win. Ummmm, if you're gonna have a contest pw then, yes, of course he's there to compete. It's not his fault that no one else showed up in his category. He was there when the pw started on Friday evening. It's not fair.

10-24-2005, 04:57 PM	#49 (permalink)
hobbs49 Holy Indian Taco Batman! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Triangle Area, NC Posts: 1,179	I interrupt this review of the rules to say a few things :-) First off, this was my first time at this powwow and while I was only able to be there on Saturday. I thought that it was a very good powwow. Now I didn't dance or sing so I'm not really going to get into the whole contest thang. But the facilities were good. They had a covered dance area in case of rain (which didn't really come during the dancing). Plenty of really good music. Lots-o-dancers. Many vendors and different vendors than I've seen at other NC and VA dances. A good MC kept things on schedule. Good food. I saw friends with smiling faces. LSS and LQ doing a good job as head dancers. Plenty of Porta-Johns. Man it is really hard to think of something that didn't go well; with the exception of the one thing that everyone wants to focus on. Well, I understand the concern, and honestly, it's a stupid rule especially since the man danced his a$$ off. He didn't just mail it in (on Saturday night at least). But I might suggest before everyone gets all down on this dance. Take a minute to reflect on the whole experience. I think that you'll find it was a good time. Accentuate the Positive

10-24-2005, 05:14 PM	#50 (permalink)
Lapis Queen Junior Dancer Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Raleigh Posts: 154	Thanks for that hobbs49. There were a lot of good things. First off I need to say thank you to the Creator. The weather man said that it would rain all day Friday and all day Saturday. I prayed that this would not happen. My mom said she left for just a short while to run to my grandmother's to pick up something and she said no less than 10 miles down the street until she got to my grandmother's house, it rained extrememly hard the whole way there. But where we were it was NO rain. There was a time that it looked like rain all around us but the sun was shining over the powwow grounds. For that I am very thankful. The host drum was awesome and extremely friendly. They are a great bunch of guys and gals. The did very well all weekend and I am honored to have met them. Our MC is always great and on top of things. Just when you think there would be choas, he takes the reins and brings it back to order. The dancers were very friendly and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I asked several people several times throughout the weekend if they were enjoying themselves and they said yes. So I have a lot to be happy and thankful for. Contest powwows never go like people want them. There is always stress that goes along with a contest powwow. I know b/c I leave a lot of contest powwows going why did this happen or feeling like so and so was cheated. It's hard to know what goes through the minds of judges when they place people. I guess most of us will never know. I know from experience that the styles of dancing these days are split between a contempory and traditional style of dancing. My husband and I talk about this all the time. It does seem that the contemporary/flashier dancers catch the eyes of the judges more so than those who dance the old school way. Maybe this topic would make a good thread if there isn't one already. And I feel that the old school traditionalist out there get over looked A LOT! This isn't fair I know. What do other people think? And like I said maybe this topic should be in a separate thread, but I know there was some discussion about this when the results came out about who placed. Anyway...I digressed. But hobbs49 is right. There were a lot of good things that came out of this powwow. There were a lot of things that need to be changed and I hope the tribe takes all into consideration.

10-24-2005, 05:16 PM	#51 (permalink)
tigger Pow Wow Committee Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: powwows.com Posts: 6,183	had a blast at this powwow................. the drums were jammin all weekend long. killer songs and great sounds. Medicine Tail, Stoney Creek, and not sure of the name of the third group, but ya'll rock.........keep up the good work. Clark did a really good job as the Mc, with Jay keepin the dancers goin and doin the right stuff. Jay is awesome with his bright hats and shoes........LOL Kristy and Jason did a spectacular job as the lead dancers all weekend. i took 6 rolls of film so give me alittle bit to develop them and then go through them to see which ones that should be posted then i'll post them. if you want me to pm you when they go on the site, please let me know. it was really good to see and talk to those of you that i know already and those that i didn't know but meet this weekend. it was great talking to you.