Post by Moon Seeker on Jul 13, 2009 10:26:01 GMT -5
Keeping a culture alive / Mohican pow-wow presents Native American way of life
By COURTNEY ALBON
T-G Staff Writer
LOUDONVILLE -- A steady drum beat and the occasional flute solo provided a soundtrack for visitors to the Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow during the weekend at Mohican Reservation in Loudonville.
Vendors displayed their wares and some demonstrated their art for interested visitors. Others sold Indian tacos, buffalo burgers and fry bread.
Near the entrance, Andy Baxter stood at a table of his own hand-made drums of various sizes. He sold other pieces -- including fans made of leather and feathers, custom-made elk moccasins and braided leather hair wraps. "For your smuggling needs," read a sign placed on the table.
Behind him stood a towering teepee, which he crafted one summer during his vacation. He and his wife invited visitors to sit inside and learn how the teepee was assembled.
Baxter, who wore a fox-skin hat, said while the drums are his primary business, he enjoys making other pieces as well. He's been displaying and selling his pieces at pow-wows for 12 years.
"I'm at one of these almost every weekend," Baxter said. "There are 52 weeks in a year, and I'm probably at a pow-wow for 48 of them."
Though it rained pretty heavily Saturday morning, Baxter said he'd had a steady stream of people at his display -- most just wanting to look or learn.
Pow-wow coordinator Earl Gant said the same was true for the event itself, which, despite the rain, had attracted approximately 1,200 people by 4 p.m. Saturday.
"I think people knew the rain wasn't going to last and now it ended up being a beautiful day," Gant said Saturday, while waiting in line for a buffalo burger.
Gant has been involved in the pow-wow for 25 years, since its beginning, and said he's seen it grow both in the quality of the merchandise and the number of people interested in learning about Native American culture.
Some of the biggest attractions are the dance contests throughout the day, with dancers representing various tribes, dressed in traditional wear.
"We get all kinds of people here -- they are always interested in learning about Native American culture and traditions," Gant said.
Julia Apple of Mount Vernon has been visiting the pow-wow for 11 years. She said her ancestors were Shawnee and she appreciates the chance to connect with her heritage and collect pieces of Native American jewelry.
For the past two years, Julia has brought her 9-year-old grandson, Luke Apple, to the event. Carrying a spear he bought at one of the stands, Luke said he likes the music and the dancing.
"My favorite dance is the grass dance," Luke said. He couldn't remember the steps, but said he recognized it right away when he saw it.
Rex Begaye, a painter from Sarasota, Fla., said he has been coming to the Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow off and on for several years. Though he's been painting all his life, he said he turned his work into a profession about 25 years ago after leaving a reservation in Arizona.
He said his work both helps him hold on to his Navajo ancestry and helps others see the connection between Native American beliefs and everyday life.
"A lot of my work centers on Mother Earth because I see her everywhere ... in nature, in the beauty of a woman's face," Begaye said. "I think people can connect with that."
n Courtney Albon can be reached at 419-281-0581 ext. 243 or calbon@times-gazette.com.
www.times-gazette.com/news/article/4627226
By COURTNEY ALBON
T-G Staff Writer
LOUDONVILLE -- A steady drum beat and the occasional flute solo provided a soundtrack for visitors to the Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow during the weekend at Mohican Reservation in Loudonville.
Vendors displayed their wares and some demonstrated their art for interested visitors. Others sold Indian tacos, buffalo burgers and fry bread.
Near the entrance, Andy Baxter stood at a table of his own hand-made drums of various sizes. He sold other pieces -- including fans made of leather and feathers, custom-made elk moccasins and braided leather hair wraps. "For your smuggling needs," read a sign placed on the table.
Behind him stood a towering teepee, which he crafted one summer during his vacation. He and his wife invited visitors to sit inside and learn how the teepee was assembled.
Baxter, who wore a fox-skin hat, said while the drums are his primary business, he enjoys making other pieces as well. He's been displaying and selling his pieces at pow-wows for 12 years.
"I'm at one of these almost every weekend," Baxter said. "There are 52 weeks in a year, and I'm probably at a pow-wow for 48 of them."
Though it rained pretty heavily Saturday morning, Baxter said he'd had a steady stream of people at his display -- most just wanting to look or learn.
Pow-wow coordinator Earl Gant said the same was true for the event itself, which, despite the rain, had attracted approximately 1,200 people by 4 p.m. Saturday.
"I think people knew the rain wasn't going to last and now it ended up being a beautiful day," Gant said Saturday, while waiting in line for a buffalo burger.
Gant has been involved in the pow-wow for 25 years, since its beginning, and said he's seen it grow both in the quality of the merchandise and the number of people interested in learning about Native American culture.
Some of the biggest attractions are the dance contests throughout the day, with dancers representing various tribes, dressed in traditional wear.
"We get all kinds of people here -- they are always interested in learning about Native American culture and traditions," Gant said.
Julia Apple of Mount Vernon has been visiting the pow-wow for 11 years. She said her ancestors were Shawnee and she appreciates the chance to connect with her heritage and collect pieces of Native American jewelry.
For the past two years, Julia has brought her 9-year-old grandson, Luke Apple, to the event. Carrying a spear he bought at one of the stands, Luke said he likes the music and the dancing.
"My favorite dance is the grass dance," Luke said. He couldn't remember the steps, but said he recognized it right away when he saw it.
Rex Begaye, a painter from Sarasota, Fla., said he has been coming to the Great Mohican Indian Pow-Wow off and on for several years. Though he's been painting all his life, he said he turned his work into a profession about 25 years ago after leaving a reservation in Arizona.
He said his work both helps him hold on to his Navajo ancestry and helps others see the connection between Native American beliefs and everyday life.
"A lot of my work centers on Mother Earth because I see her everywhere ... in nature, in the beauty of a woman's face," Begaye said. "I think people can connect with that."
n Courtney Albon can be reached at 419-281-0581 ext. 243 or calbon@times-gazette.com.
www.times-gazette.com/news/article/4627226