Post by Moon Seeker on Jul 27, 2009 18:43:40 GMT -5
Barrett Newkirk • The Enquirer • July 27, 2009
Bellevue's Native American history was honored this weekend with two days of traditional ceremonies.
The descendants of American Indians and others interested in native culture met at Bellevue Middle School for the third annual Dancing Cranes Powwow. Organizer Leslea Boyd said the event commemorates the area's role as a trading site for tribes before white settlers arrived in Michigan.
She said the event grounds behind the school had once been the site of an Ottawa Indian village.
"We often wonder what this place would look like if we were back then," Boyd said.
Along with traditional crafts and food, the event included demonstrations of Indian dances and ceremonies.
More than 60 people participated Sunday in a grand entrance ceremony that recognized U.S. veterans with Indian heritage.
George Reiter of Cincinnati led the ceremony as head veteran.
"The gathering is where all the old friends come together," he said. "It's like a family reunion."
Reiter, an army veteran of Cherokee descent, wore a beret and black vest with military badges. Under the vest was a traditional Indian costume sewn from patriotic red, white and blue fabric.
Other veterans followed Reiter in a parade around the event's central pavilion. They were followed by 26 costumed dancers representing different native traditions.
Some of the dancers wore simple constumes and danced in small steps, while another group of young girls wore bright costumes with matching shawls and spun around to show off the colors.
Boyd said even after settlers came to Eaton County, the native tribes continued to hold annual powwows, but before she and Frank Snyder revived the tradition in 2007, it had been 73 year since the last local gathering.
"We just wanted to bring back the history of this town, the very first history," Boyd said. "It remains a very special event for the native people who live around here."
Bellevue resident Megan Whitney is half Native American, and although her tribe is in Oklahoma, she said she's glad to have an opportunity like the annual powwow to connect with her own culture.
"This is as close as I come," she said. "It's good to see the culture in this small town."
Barrett Newkirk can be reached at 966-0692 or bnewkirk@gannett.com.
www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20090727/NEWS01/907270316/Bellevue+honors+Native+American+history
Bellevue's Native American history was honored this weekend with two days of traditional ceremonies.
The descendants of American Indians and others interested in native culture met at Bellevue Middle School for the third annual Dancing Cranes Powwow. Organizer Leslea Boyd said the event commemorates the area's role as a trading site for tribes before white settlers arrived in Michigan.
She said the event grounds behind the school had once been the site of an Ottawa Indian village.
"We often wonder what this place would look like if we were back then," Boyd said.
Along with traditional crafts and food, the event included demonstrations of Indian dances and ceremonies.
More than 60 people participated Sunday in a grand entrance ceremony that recognized U.S. veterans with Indian heritage.
George Reiter of Cincinnati led the ceremony as head veteran.
"The gathering is where all the old friends come together," he said. "It's like a family reunion."
Reiter, an army veteran of Cherokee descent, wore a beret and black vest with military badges. Under the vest was a traditional Indian costume sewn from patriotic red, white and blue fabric.
Other veterans followed Reiter in a parade around the event's central pavilion. They were followed by 26 costumed dancers representing different native traditions.
Some of the dancers wore simple constumes and danced in small steps, while another group of young girls wore bright costumes with matching shawls and spun around to show off the colors.
Boyd said even after settlers came to Eaton County, the native tribes continued to hold annual powwows, but before she and Frank Snyder revived the tradition in 2007, it had been 73 year since the last local gathering.
"We just wanted to bring back the history of this town, the very first history," Boyd said. "It remains a very special event for the native people who live around here."
Bellevue resident Megan Whitney is half Native American, and although her tribe is in Oklahoma, she said she's glad to have an opportunity like the annual powwow to connect with her own culture.
"This is as close as I come," she said. "It's good to see the culture in this small town."
Barrett Newkirk can be reached at 966-0692 or bnewkirk@gannett.com.
www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20090727/NEWS01/907270316/Bellevue+honors+Native+American+history