Post by Moon Seeker on Jul 23, 2009 19:57:31 GMT -5
Native Americans celebrate heritage, tradition
By Hannah Hussey
yccs@seacoastonline.com
July 23, 2009 6:00 AM
WELLS — Members of the New Hampshire Intertribal Native American Council gathered this weekend at Wells Harbor Park for their annual two-day powpow.
There, people from more than 50 different tribes and members of the general public watched, heard, and participated in dancing, music, and storytelling.
"People look forward to this," said Peter Newell, chief of council. "They like to hear the drums, they want to dance — they have a good time."
Newell added that he enjoyed holding the powpow in Wells because the town was so accommodating.
"The only thing we have to fight here is the weather," he said. "The town of Wells is phenomenal."
Gates opened to the powpow each day at 9am, but events started at noon with the Grand Opening, followed by dances honoring different flags and veterans. Traditionally dressed dancers had the chance to display their regalia, into which, Newell said, some put large amounts of money and time.
"A lot of people think they're costumes, but they're not," Newell said of the regalia. "A costume is something you wear on Halloween."
Cathy Robinson, a South Berwick woman with Micmac roots, said that she made her dress by hand after doing research to ensure historical and geographical accuracy.
"If they didn't have a sewing machine, I don't use a sewing machine," she said. "I try to stay as pure as I can to honor the time period and to honor my ancestors."
However, Robinson, who has been going to Powwows for 10 years, said the experience was about more than the outfits. She explained that when she went to her first powpow, "it just felt like home."
James Stormhorse Sandborn, a Mescalero Apache from Massachusetts who has been going to powpow s throughout his life, agreed, saying that he enjoys getting to know the same faces and watching his friends' children grow up and have children of their own.
"This is my culture," Sandborn said. "This is my family."
Bob Silver Eagle Brawn, chief of the Metis of Maine, said a powwow is a chance to teach traditions that have come close to being lost.
Don Laughing Owl Newell, father of Peter Newell and former chief of Intertribal Native American Council, agreed, adding that today's youth are often interested in exploring their heritage.
"When I was a kid growing up, they had a lot of cowboy and Indian movies," Newell said. "A lot of people didn't want to admit that they had native blood, but the younger ones are proud."
Brawn said powwows, where many different tribes' traditions are featured, prove that eastern Native American culture is still alive, even while pop culture often shows only western Native American culture.
At the same time, Brawn and Newell said, difficulties can arise when members of different tribes are unfamiliar with one another's sometimes contrasting customs.
Through talking and teaching, everyone has learned to respect the varying traditions, Brawn said.
Ultimately, he said, "it's who we are and what we represent and what we're trying to keep alive."
www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090723-NEWS-907230368
By Hannah Hussey
yccs@seacoastonline.com
July 23, 2009 6:00 AM
WELLS — Members of the New Hampshire Intertribal Native American Council gathered this weekend at Wells Harbor Park for their annual two-day powpow.
There, people from more than 50 different tribes and members of the general public watched, heard, and participated in dancing, music, and storytelling.
"People look forward to this," said Peter Newell, chief of council. "They like to hear the drums, they want to dance — they have a good time."
Newell added that he enjoyed holding the powpow in Wells because the town was so accommodating.
"The only thing we have to fight here is the weather," he said. "The town of Wells is phenomenal."
Gates opened to the powpow each day at 9am, but events started at noon with the Grand Opening, followed by dances honoring different flags and veterans. Traditionally dressed dancers had the chance to display their regalia, into which, Newell said, some put large amounts of money and time.
"A lot of people think they're costumes, but they're not," Newell said of the regalia. "A costume is something you wear on Halloween."
Cathy Robinson, a South Berwick woman with Micmac roots, said that she made her dress by hand after doing research to ensure historical and geographical accuracy.
"If they didn't have a sewing machine, I don't use a sewing machine," she said. "I try to stay as pure as I can to honor the time period and to honor my ancestors."
However, Robinson, who has been going to Powwows for 10 years, said the experience was about more than the outfits. She explained that when she went to her first powpow, "it just felt like home."
James Stormhorse Sandborn, a Mescalero Apache from Massachusetts who has been going to powpow s throughout his life, agreed, saying that he enjoys getting to know the same faces and watching his friends' children grow up and have children of their own.
"This is my culture," Sandborn said. "This is my family."
Bob Silver Eagle Brawn, chief of the Metis of Maine, said a powwow is a chance to teach traditions that have come close to being lost.
Don Laughing Owl Newell, father of Peter Newell and former chief of Intertribal Native American Council, agreed, adding that today's youth are often interested in exploring their heritage.
"When I was a kid growing up, they had a lot of cowboy and Indian movies," Newell said. "A lot of people didn't want to admit that they had native blood, but the younger ones are proud."
Brawn said powwows, where many different tribes' traditions are featured, prove that eastern Native American culture is still alive, even while pop culture often shows only western Native American culture.
At the same time, Brawn and Newell said, difficulties can arise when members of different tribes are unfamiliar with one another's sometimes contrasting customs.
Through talking and teaching, everyone has learned to respect the varying traditions, Brawn said.
Ultimately, he said, "it's who we are and what we represent and what we're trying to keep alive."
www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090723-NEWS-907230368