Post by blackcrowheart on Oct 11, 2006 17:44:20 GMT -5
Step Into the Beat, Black Hills PowWow
By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer
RAPID CITY - For the past 15 years, a Black Hawk man has stepped into the circle of American Indian dancers each fall at the Black Hills' premiere powwow and fine arts show.
Gerald Yellowhawk of Black Hawk is wearing a bone-breast plate and beaded leggings, holding his eagle feather bustle, a signature accessory of his traditional-style regailia. Photos by dick Kettlewell/Journal staff
At the 20th annual He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate Black Hills Pow Wow today through Sunday, the Rev. Gerald Yellowhawk, a member of Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, will celebrate his 70th birthday dancing to the beat of Mother Earth.
Adorned in his eagle feather bustle, leggings, bells and beaded moccasins, Yellowhawk will listen for the familiar drum beat of a favorite drum group to be inspired.
"When you hear a good drum, it all kicks in," he said.
More than 2,000 people are expected to take in the powwow at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, about a third of the crowd will dance or drum for the nearly $50,000 in contest prize money.
This year, organizers have increased both the prize money and the number of places for contest winners. Last year, prizes were given up to fourth place. This year, a fifth place category has been added, said Ann Hart, Black Hills Pow Wow Association treasurer.
With those changes, organizers are confident about powwow participation.
"It's going to be a big, big powwow," she said.
Wayne Weston, board president of the Black Hills Pow Wow Association, agreed.
"There are no powwows of our magnitude going on in the Midwest. We're the kick-off to the indoor powwows in the winter season," he said.
Announcers Chris Eagle Hawk and Butch Felix will welcome the audience as arena directors Marcell Bull Bear and Joe Lafferty line up hundreds of dancers for grand entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday in the arena of the civic center. Host drum, Iron Boy of Prior Lake, Minn., will open ceremonies. Bad Nation of Fort Thompson will act as honor drum.
Association board and volunteers have worked to broaden the powwow's appeal, but also strive to keep its wealth of community heritage and cultural values, Weston said.
In keeping with his traditional lifestyle and age, Yellowhawk has shed some of the heavy, ornamental accessories of his regalia, but retained the beaded geometric designs of crossed pipes - meaning peace.
It takes the former Wesleyan minister about 45 minutes to put on his full regalia. His wife, Johanna, dresses in her buckskin, beaded and fringed dress and accessories in about 30 minutes.
"As long as my hair is done, it doesn't take me long," she said of her preparation for powwow.
The Yellowhawks both keep their people in their thoughts while dancing with friends within the circle on the arena floor.
"I would encourage the young people to dance for their people, their mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. You can lose the meaning of it all if you just dance for the money," Gerald Yellowhawk said.
By Jomay Steen, Journal Staff Writer
RAPID CITY - For the past 15 years, a Black Hawk man has stepped into the circle of American Indian dancers each fall at the Black Hills' premiere powwow and fine arts show.
Gerald Yellowhawk of Black Hawk is wearing a bone-breast plate and beaded leggings, holding his eagle feather bustle, a signature accessory of his traditional-style regailia. Photos by dick Kettlewell/Journal staff
At the 20th annual He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate Black Hills Pow Wow today through Sunday, the Rev. Gerald Yellowhawk, a member of Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, will celebrate his 70th birthday dancing to the beat of Mother Earth.
Adorned in his eagle feather bustle, leggings, bells and beaded moccasins, Yellowhawk will listen for the familiar drum beat of a favorite drum group to be inspired.
"When you hear a good drum, it all kicks in," he said.
More than 2,000 people are expected to take in the powwow at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, about a third of the crowd will dance or drum for the nearly $50,000 in contest prize money.
This year, organizers have increased both the prize money and the number of places for contest winners. Last year, prizes were given up to fourth place. This year, a fifth place category has been added, said Ann Hart, Black Hills Pow Wow Association treasurer.
With those changes, organizers are confident about powwow participation.
"It's going to be a big, big powwow," she said.
Wayne Weston, board president of the Black Hills Pow Wow Association, agreed.
"There are no powwows of our magnitude going on in the Midwest. We're the kick-off to the indoor powwows in the winter season," he said.
Announcers Chris Eagle Hawk and Butch Felix will welcome the audience as arena directors Marcell Bull Bear and Joe Lafferty line up hundreds of dancers for grand entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday in the arena of the civic center. Host drum, Iron Boy of Prior Lake, Minn., will open ceremonies. Bad Nation of Fort Thompson will act as honor drum.
Association board and volunteers have worked to broaden the powwow's appeal, but also strive to keep its wealth of community heritage and cultural values, Weston said.
In keeping with his traditional lifestyle and age, Yellowhawk has shed some of the heavy, ornamental accessories of his regalia, but retained the beaded geometric designs of crossed pipes - meaning peace.
It takes the former Wesleyan minister about 45 minutes to put on his full regalia. His wife, Johanna, dresses in her buckskin, beaded and fringed dress and accessories in about 30 minutes.
"As long as my hair is done, it doesn't take me long," she said of her preparation for powwow.
The Yellowhawks both keep their people in their thoughts while dancing with friends within the circle on the arena floor.
"I would encourage the young people to dance for their people, their mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. You can lose the meaning of it all if you just dance for the money," Gerald Yellowhawk said.