hobbs49

It's awful quiet in the Spectator's forum lately so I thought I'd see if we couldn't find something to talk about

Back in the mid-1960's, my dad, who was a cop at the time, was in St. Clair, MI for a pistol shooting tournament. While he was there he stumbled across a powwow that was taking place up that way. He apparently fell in love with it because ever since then he would take the family to various dances in the mid-west. I've kept up with it ever since, powwowing is just something that I do now. I don't even know why I do it other than it's a good time, a relaxing time, and I've made some good friends at powwows.

So my question to you is what chain of events led you to attend your first powwow?

This may be directed more at those who didn't grow up in the powwow culture, even those that did might have something to add.


Just a reminder, posts to this forum are delayed due to moderation requirements. So be patient, Singing Eagle and I will get them public as soon as we can. :-)

ok24stacey

I don't remember the specifics of where or when but I do remember being at my first powwow. I went with my best friends family. It was some place small because I remember there being a lot of people and I was painfully shy of crowded places when I was young. I think we were about 11 or 12, at that age where you wanna chase boys in all your free time. lol After a few laps of that, we sat down with the family and I watched for awhile. I saw this dancer get completely lost in what he was doing. That really embedded itself in me and still part of the reason why I enjoy attending so much today.

I don't remember asking a lot of questions or trying to describe how intense it seemed, I just kind of got hooked and went as often as I could. (my friend and I played softball and basketball together 24/7) I have made a lot of good friends and continue to do so. It is a relaxing time and I love catching up with others almost as much as I still really enjoy listening and watching.

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trob226

I went to my first powwow in the 60s, too, in Baltimore. The regalia reeled me in right away, because I was then and still am really interested in clothing construction. The drum was great, too. I haven't been able to go to many over the years, but I'm hoping to start up again.

Meow

All my life I have always been interested in Native American culture. I think it started when I was a kid and I'd watch Peter Pan and want to be Tiger Lily (because she was a princess and got rescued hahahaha). I also confess that a lot of it stems from the fact that it could very well be a part of my heritage (though if that is the case, it would be very far-removed...but still!). I got my first taste of true Native culture when I was attending college in Oklahoma and took a World Music class. We were required to attend an event where some kind of cultural music (that was not of my own) was being performed and I went to see some Natives demonstrate different styles of dancing typically done at Pow Wows and explain the significance of them at the State Fair. I was very intrigued. I loved the regalia, the dancing, everything.

I have yet to attend a Pow Wow, but it is something that I would really like to do very soon in the near-future :-)

Michaele Glenn

Hi - it's my first time posting...I live in PA, my parents lived in DE and we went to the Nanticoke Powwow-an annual tradition that we kept up. I've always been interested in the NA culture. I majored in Anthropology/NAIndians, and have a bit of Iroquois gong back about 150 years. Anyway, we had a great time, danced the final dance, laughed, ate, looked and talked to vendors,.... The last time my parents, my husband, daughter and I got together for fun was at the Nanticoke Powwow. My mother died less than a year later. It's a very special memory for me. I came to this site to find schedules so I can start attending again. I feel a "pull" that I really can't explain!

SuzzeQ4

well I was adopted out so I didn't grow up with my culture. In high school most of my friends were NDN too & all but one of of us were adpoted. So one weekend a few of us decided to go to the local powwow. I remeber it being on my birthday & it was raining. We left after an hour thinking that it was going to be cancelled having no idea that it was perfectly normal for a powwow to start late.
Suzze

WocusWoman

It was assumed in my family, that all kids would dance and encouraged to do so. I don't remember starting, but I do remember my grandma pulling stuff out of one of her many suitcases and putting it on us, and sending us out to dance. Now when I see a child that looks very interested in dancing, I try and get them started by making and gifting them something.

ntownn8ive

Ah, I r'member my first powwow like it was yesterday!

Kinda strange but, I remember going to Crow Fair with my Dad, and leaving with my Mom.

Geez, I got a good memory!

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Dweick

WE always vacation in the Upper peninsula of Michigan in august for a couple of weeks every year.
I bought a paper about 8 yrs ago and found out about a powwow that was held in St Ignace MI, every Labor Day weekend.
So We went. it was an experience to remember.
Everyone was so welcoming to my family.
and not once did I get a question about my nationality. or tribe instead people were asking me how my family was doing. I explained to them that I was adopted and didn't know my birth family at that time. they wished me luck in my family search etc.
something had led my to this peticular path. We go to watch and learn
every year we would go back these people would come to me for updates on my biological search.
the year I found My biological family the St Ignace powwow was canceled.
it was like that path closed when a new one opened up
later I found out that my cousin used to go to that powwow every year.
we were up there at the same time some years and didn't even know it.
Even ran into people that had relatives on the same res that my mom and family came from.

But the feeling of fitting in with everyone was something I never experienced before as well as my children.
My daughter and I make it a point to go to at least one every month during the outdoor season.
and we get to run into some of the same people every time.
My adoptive parents always promised to take me to a powwow when I was a child but it never happened.
so for my and my family each one is a learning experience for us

whitewave

My first pow wow was actually only last year. I was dating a guy that would sometimes go with his Miwok roomate that was a drummer. I told him I had always wanted to go to one but never knew how to get the info on where and when. I went with him to a small pow wow at DQ University in Davis and I was in love! It was great. I knew it would be. I loved the people and the general atmosphere, the regalia, the music, the dances, the jewelery, I love it all! So I've been going ever since. I go to every pow wow I can find even remotely in my area and I'm working on meeting more people to show me the ancient ways because I honestly believe that is what we are supposed to be following. I WISH I could've been able to go to Gathering of Nations, I wanted to go soooo bad, but not having a car was not helping me in that and I'm pretty broke now too so I'll be planning for next year starting now to make sure! I'm SO glad I found the connection!
Peace, Love, and blessings like rain,
J

billyjoejimbob

I was working at a summer camp in 1989 and there was a powwow in the next town over so I hit it up. Ended up hanging out till 4am.

I had to park my car in front of the dining hall door so the kitchen staff would have to wake me up in the morning....

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Michaele Glenn

My parents lived in southern Delaware and once a year The Delaware Nanticoke Powwow is held. My husband, daughter and I would go down for the weekend, go to the powwow and we all had a GREAT time!

We would watch the dances which varied by tribe and by dress. We watched tribal chiefs, princesses, elders, organizers and all the dancers enter the circle carrying various regalia items and the U.S. flag and tribal flags and other flags too, all carried by Native American U.S. Veterans. This is called the Grand Entry.

We’d watch the men dance, the women dance and the children dance. We listened to the singers – without them, there would be no dancing. And, when I think about it, the songs were in the different languages of the various singers – yet another way to preserve unique tribal traditions.

The rhythm of the drums resounded like a heartbeat! The ceremonial dress was magnificent and the dances were explained and that helped everyone understand what we were watching.

We would visit booths, eat A LOT of food and watch more dances. Walk around, look at crafts, books, listen to music, eat again, … At the end of the powwow, everybody came together in a circle and all who wanted to could join the circle and dance the Round Dance. Everyone was interspersed with each other…Indian, non-Indian, Indian, etc. I was moved, inspired, and my daughter who was about 2 or 3 had the time of her life! I felt welcomed, information was freely shared, and questions were answered.

The last time we ever got together socially with my parents before my mother died of cancer was at that powwow in 1989 – she died in 1990. It was our last chance to renew ties, make memories, dance, laugh, and sing before hospitals, chemotherapy and hospice. I'll never forget that powwow - it's one of the most special memories I have!!!

hobbs49

Michaele that was one hellava post! Man I'm ready to go now!

Michaele Glenn

My mom wasn't feeling well, they went out west every year and getting ready for their next trip. I said to dad maybe you should stay home...his reply was basically Now-or-Never. My mother's dad was from NM and had moved to AZ. She was on a trek to discover as much about him as possible. She was successful and it's a very special memory all around.

Gache

I dont remember mine but seeing a little 2 year old going out to dance is a memory that cannot be matched.

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