Post by Okwes on Oct 30, 2006 11:30:20 GMT -5
Beat of a different drum
Accohannock Tribe holds 13th annual fall festival
By Katherine Crowell
Staff Writer
MARION STATION -- The rain on Sunday didn't stop children and adults from coming out in traditional American Indian outfits and dancing to the heartbeat of Mother Earth.
Chants and beats vibrated from the drum circle and dancers of all ages performed while wearing turkey feathers, deer and elk hides, bold colors, ribbons and bells.
The local Accohannock Tribe hosted its 13th annual powwow and Accohannock fall festival on Saturday and Sunday at Bending Water Park in Marion Station.
The first dance Sunday was a Western grass dance, in which the dancers' movements mimicked the swaying of long blades of grass.
"We've taken the format from the Western tribal ceremonies because many of our formats were lost to us over the years," said David Holland of Crisfield. Traditions were lost, he said, because many used to be afraid to admit their American Indian heritage.
About 700 people visited the festival over the two days to celebrate American Indian culture and recognize the new members of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs. The commission initiates and supports activities that affect American Indians in Maryland such as educational programs about health issues. The organization also furthers the understanding of American Indian history and culture. It is a liaison between American Indians and the state and federal governments.
Chris McCabe, secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources, announced five new commissioners at the event.
The five new commissioners are Auriel A. Fenwick and Thomas W. Windsor II, both of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe in Prince George's County, Kathryn E. Robbins Fitzhugh of the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians in Dorchester County, David Cullen Holland of the Accohannock People of Somerset County and Guy Wells of the Cherokee Nation in Caroline County.
The No. 1 priority of the commission is to get the state and federal governments to officially recognize the Maryland tribes, said Keith Colston, vice chairman of the commission.
The major obstacle the tribes face in getting recognition is the stereotype that if officially recognized and designated land, the tribes will provide gambling, he said. In actuality, recognition has nothing to do with the politics of gaming, instead, it is about identity, he said.
"We want to establish that our people are here and who we are," said Chief Rudy Laughing Otter Hall.
The powwow, a celebration of homecoming and place to offer prayers through dancing, is one way the Accohannock tribe shows the community who they are, Hall said. They are also building a historic Native American village in Bending Water Park and hope to one day have a classroom, restaurant and museum there, he said. Local children played in the long houses built of wood while adults talked about history.
Fenwick said going to powwow like the one in Marion Station gives her a renewed sense of heritage.
"The overall group of people here have been overlooked and pretty much ignored," Fenwick said. "Here you are validating who you are even though you're fighting a battle of not being recognized."
kcrowell@dmg.gannett.com
410-845-4655
Accohannock Tribe holds 13th annual fall festival
By Katherine Crowell
Staff Writer
MARION STATION -- The rain on Sunday didn't stop children and adults from coming out in traditional American Indian outfits and dancing to the heartbeat of Mother Earth.
Chants and beats vibrated from the drum circle and dancers of all ages performed while wearing turkey feathers, deer and elk hides, bold colors, ribbons and bells.
The local Accohannock Tribe hosted its 13th annual powwow and Accohannock fall festival on Saturday and Sunday at Bending Water Park in Marion Station.
The first dance Sunday was a Western grass dance, in which the dancers' movements mimicked the swaying of long blades of grass.
"We've taken the format from the Western tribal ceremonies because many of our formats were lost to us over the years," said David Holland of Crisfield. Traditions were lost, he said, because many used to be afraid to admit their American Indian heritage.
About 700 people visited the festival over the two days to celebrate American Indian culture and recognize the new members of the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs. The commission initiates and supports activities that affect American Indians in Maryland such as educational programs about health issues. The organization also furthers the understanding of American Indian history and culture. It is a liaison between American Indians and the state and federal governments.
Chris McCabe, secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources, announced five new commissioners at the event.
The five new commissioners are Auriel A. Fenwick and Thomas W. Windsor II, both of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe in Prince George's County, Kathryn E. Robbins Fitzhugh of the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians in Dorchester County, David Cullen Holland of the Accohannock People of Somerset County and Guy Wells of the Cherokee Nation in Caroline County.
The No. 1 priority of the commission is to get the state and federal governments to officially recognize the Maryland tribes, said Keith Colston, vice chairman of the commission.
The major obstacle the tribes face in getting recognition is the stereotype that if officially recognized and designated land, the tribes will provide gambling, he said. In actuality, recognition has nothing to do with the politics of gaming, instead, it is about identity, he said.
"We want to establish that our people are here and who we are," said Chief Rudy Laughing Otter Hall.
The powwow, a celebration of homecoming and place to offer prayers through dancing, is one way the Accohannock tribe shows the community who they are, Hall said. They are also building a historic Native American village in Bending Water Park and hope to one day have a classroom, restaurant and museum there, he said. Local children played in the long houses built of wood while adults talked about history.
Fenwick said going to powwow like the one in Marion Station gives her a renewed sense of heritage.
"The overall group of people here have been overlooked and pretty much ignored," Fenwick said. "Here you are validating who you are even though you're fighting a battle of not being recognized."
kcrowell@dmg.gannett.com
410-845-4655