Post by blackcrowheart on Jul 17, 2006 9:34:13 GMT -5
Renewing spirits
Powwow held in honor of two people who recently passed away
By Walt Frank, wfrank@altoonamirror.com
Mirror photo by Gary M. Baranec
Hassan Ridgeway, 11, of Toms River, N.J., a member of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape tribe, competes in the fancy dance competition during the PowWow at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park Saturday afternoon. The event continues today.
TIPTON — With a heavy heart, Ezra Fields decided the show must go on.
After the Oct. 30 death of his wife, Shirley, Fields said he didn’t plan to return to DelGrosso’s Amusement Park for the Ninth Annual Native American Pow Wow — an event he has spearheaded since its beginning here in 1998.
“I didn’t see how I could come back. My daughter [Dot Landry] talked me into it; my son [Bill Fields] is taking part and is supporting me. They were the ones who convinced me that it was what mom would have wanted me to do.
“Not too many people realize this, but this was the hardest thing for me to do,” Fields said. “My wife really planned everything — I mean everything. All of the dancers knew her, respected her and loved her and miss her like I do.”
This year’s Pow Wow, held Saturday and today, was dedicated to Shirley Fields and Tom Riley, DelGrosso’s marketing director who died suddenly Nov. 6.
The Pow Wow features dancing in full regalia, drumming, singing, arts and crafts and Native American food.
“A powwow is where we come together and perform our traditional ways together; it is a renewing of our spirits and is also teaching for our younger people,” said Fields, 71, a Pawnee from Pawnee, Okla.
“A powwow is a unique, diverse experience, something you rarely find in this area. To visualize the colors, music and intense competition of the dancers is what makes it unique,” said Jeff Ingram, who succeeded Riley as marketing director.
Beth Sanders of Altoona has attended all nine of the powwows at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park.
The people who are dancing, they make it look so fun. You can learn about their culture without looking at a book,” said Sanders, who is part Cherokee. “It is a celebration of the Native American culture. You see the true Native American, not the stereotype.”
Michelle Jones of Altoona called attending the powwow a fascinating experience.
“It is interesting to be able to actually experience the way of the Native Americans through their dancing and music. It is something you don’t normally get to see,” Jones said. “They are intriguing people; they are beautiful and should be revered.”
The 90 dancers participating in this year’s event range from 4 to 63 years old and represent 41 tribes — including the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, Seneca, and Mohawk and others — with Native Americans coming from several states to participate.
The real purpose of the event “is to help the non-Indian realize who and what we are as a Native American people,” Fields said.
“There are many pictures of us. I want the people to look at us and judge for themselves,” Fields said. “I want people to know we are a responsible people like anyone else. We put on the uniform and fight for the American flag and pay taxes like anyone else. We try to be everything we can be but we never forget who we are.”
Fields, who has served as master of ceremonies and a dancer at powwows for about 50 years, is retired except for the trip to DelGrosso’s.
“DelGrosso’s makes us feel so welcome. They make the dancers feel at home and part of the area,” Fields said. “It is a beautiful area we love to visit; the people are so receptive to what we have.”
Fields also brings his own vendors who sell jewelry, arts and crafts and food.
“The crafts are handmade items and are authentic. Most of the jewelry is hand made by the people behind the counter; authenticity is the big factor,” Ingram said.
Fields said he plans to return again next summer.
“I knew if I could get through the first year without her [Shirley], it would get easier as time goes by. I miss her and it is hard not to see my brother Tom Riley. They were the two dearest people to me here,” Fields said. “It is God’s will it happened the way it did and I have to accept it.”
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
Powwow held in honor of two people who recently passed away
By Walt Frank, wfrank@altoonamirror.com
Mirror photo by Gary M. Baranec
Hassan Ridgeway, 11, of Toms River, N.J., a member of the Nanticoke Lenni Lenape tribe, competes in the fancy dance competition during the PowWow at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park Saturday afternoon. The event continues today.
TIPTON — With a heavy heart, Ezra Fields decided the show must go on.
After the Oct. 30 death of his wife, Shirley, Fields said he didn’t plan to return to DelGrosso’s Amusement Park for the Ninth Annual Native American Pow Wow — an event he has spearheaded since its beginning here in 1998.
“I didn’t see how I could come back. My daughter [Dot Landry] talked me into it; my son [Bill Fields] is taking part and is supporting me. They were the ones who convinced me that it was what mom would have wanted me to do.
“Not too many people realize this, but this was the hardest thing for me to do,” Fields said. “My wife really planned everything — I mean everything. All of the dancers knew her, respected her and loved her and miss her like I do.”
This year’s Pow Wow, held Saturday and today, was dedicated to Shirley Fields and Tom Riley, DelGrosso’s marketing director who died suddenly Nov. 6.
The Pow Wow features dancing in full regalia, drumming, singing, arts and crafts and Native American food.
“A powwow is where we come together and perform our traditional ways together; it is a renewing of our spirits and is also teaching for our younger people,” said Fields, 71, a Pawnee from Pawnee, Okla.
“A powwow is a unique, diverse experience, something you rarely find in this area. To visualize the colors, music and intense competition of the dancers is what makes it unique,” said Jeff Ingram, who succeeded Riley as marketing director.
Beth Sanders of Altoona has attended all nine of the powwows at DelGrosso’s Amusement Park.
The people who are dancing, they make it look so fun. You can learn about their culture without looking at a book,” said Sanders, who is part Cherokee. “It is a celebration of the Native American culture. You see the true Native American, not the stereotype.”
Michelle Jones of Altoona called attending the powwow a fascinating experience.
“It is interesting to be able to actually experience the way of the Native Americans through their dancing and music. It is something you don’t normally get to see,” Jones said. “They are intriguing people; they are beautiful and should be revered.”
The 90 dancers participating in this year’s event range from 4 to 63 years old and represent 41 tribes — including the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, Seneca, and Mohawk and others — with Native Americans coming from several states to participate.
The real purpose of the event “is to help the non-Indian realize who and what we are as a Native American people,” Fields said.
“There are many pictures of us. I want the people to look at us and judge for themselves,” Fields said. “I want people to know we are a responsible people like anyone else. We put on the uniform and fight for the American flag and pay taxes like anyone else. We try to be everything we can be but we never forget who we are.”
Fields, who has served as master of ceremonies and a dancer at powwows for about 50 years, is retired except for the trip to DelGrosso’s.
“DelGrosso’s makes us feel so welcome. They make the dancers feel at home and part of the area,” Fields said. “It is a beautiful area we love to visit; the people are so receptive to what we have.”
Fields also brings his own vendors who sell jewelry, arts and crafts and food.
“The crafts are handmade items and are authentic. Most of the jewelry is hand made by the people behind the counter; authenticity is the big factor,” Ingram said.
Fields said he plans to return again next summer.
“I knew if I could get through the first year without her [Shirley], it would get easier as time goes by. I miss her and it is hard not to see my brother Tom Riley. They were the two dearest people to me here,” Fields said. “It is God’s will it happened the way it did and I have to accept it.”
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.