Post by Okwes on Apr 6, 2008 12:05:55 GMT -5
Native Americans celebrate first powwow in 10 years
By: Perla Trevizo
(Contact)
Ruth Knight Allen - Download MP3-
American Indians from around the country came together Friday to celebrate the first day of the powwow, an event in which they socialize and expose their culture to the local community.
“It’s a family gathering Indian style,” Tammera Hicks, board member of the Native American Services of Tennessee and organizer of the event, said.
“It gives people the opportunity to learn and meet Native Americans,” she said. “We want the public to participate. ... This is what it is all about: bringing the community together.”
Mrs. Hicks said the last local powwow took place about 10 years ago, but the groups want to start making it an annual event in Chattanooga because of all the American Indian history that took place over the years in the area.
Felicia Alfaro, member of the Chicahua Yolotli tribe which means “strong heart” in Nahuatl, said they do Central American drumming and storytelling.
“We need to share our culture and teach it to the children to try to keep it alive so it won’t be lost,” she said. “It’s important not to forget who we are and where we came from.”
Dr. Jennifer Wheat, professor of literature at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, said this is the third powwow she has attended.
“I came to this one because I want to talk to people about their culture and traditions and how they are passing these traditions on — see what I can learn and use with my students,” she said.
Usually the powwow is a three-day event where people sell handmade objects such as jewelry, instruments and paintings. It begins with the Grand Entry, where the main dancer enters to the beat of the drums, followed by other dancers, and there also are dancing competitions held.
Ruth Knight Allen, who is part Cherokee and part Choctaw, said she is 76 and still loves to go to the powwows.
“It recharges my batteries,” said Mrs. Allen, who came from Memphis. Events like the powwow are “the only way we can let people know what our culture is like and learn what we do.”
Rex Begaye, a Navajo artist who came from Arizona, said besides selling his paintings and drawings, he tries to talk to people about American Indians.
“Bring out more that we are here; we do survive. There are a lot of Native Americans in the area and in the United States,” he said. “Try to make people understand what we are all about.”
The powwow will be held today and Sunday, with a Grand Entry at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
FAST FACTS
* Powwow is a western-type tribal gathering that over time was adopted by all tribes across the United States.
* About 15 tribes are represented in the local powwow from places such as Indiana, Nevada, Arizona, Illinois, Texas and Florida.
* Includes demonstrations of beadwork, basket weaving, dances, drumming and storytelling.
Source: Tammera Hicks, Native American Services of Tennessee
By: Perla Trevizo
(Contact)
Ruth Knight Allen - Download MP3-
American Indians from around the country came together Friday to celebrate the first day of the powwow, an event in which they socialize and expose their culture to the local community.
“It’s a family gathering Indian style,” Tammera Hicks, board member of the Native American Services of Tennessee and organizer of the event, said.
“It gives people the opportunity to learn and meet Native Americans,” she said. “We want the public to participate. ... This is what it is all about: bringing the community together.”
Mrs. Hicks said the last local powwow took place about 10 years ago, but the groups want to start making it an annual event in Chattanooga because of all the American Indian history that took place over the years in the area.
Felicia Alfaro, member of the Chicahua Yolotli tribe which means “strong heart” in Nahuatl, said they do Central American drumming and storytelling.
“We need to share our culture and teach it to the children to try to keep it alive so it won’t be lost,” she said. “It’s important not to forget who we are and where we came from.”
Dr. Jennifer Wheat, professor of literature at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, said this is the third powwow she has attended.
“I came to this one because I want to talk to people about their culture and traditions and how they are passing these traditions on — see what I can learn and use with my students,” she said.
Usually the powwow is a three-day event where people sell handmade objects such as jewelry, instruments and paintings. It begins with the Grand Entry, where the main dancer enters to the beat of the drums, followed by other dancers, and there also are dancing competitions held.
Ruth Knight Allen, who is part Cherokee and part Choctaw, said she is 76 and still loves to go to the powwows.
“It recharges my batteries,” said Mrs. Allen, who came from Memphis. Events like the powwow are “the only way we can let people know what our culture is like and learn what we do.”
Rex Begaye, a Navajo artist who came from Arizona, said besides selling his paintings and drawings, he tries to talk to people about American Indians.
“Bring out more that we are here; we do survive. There are a lot of Native Americans in the area and in the United States,” he said. “Try to make people understand what we are all about.”
The powwow will be held today and Sunday, with a Grand Entry at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
FAST FACTS
* Powwow is a western-type tribal gathering that over time was adopted by all tribes across the United States.
* About 15 tribes are represented in the local powwow from places such as Indiana, Nevada, Arizona, Illinois, Texas and Florida.
* Includes demonstrations of beadwork, basket weaving, dances, drumming and storytelling.
Source: Tammera Hicks, Native American Services of Tennessee