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We have found out that the Pow Wow is to take place in part of the McGhee Fairground, in the indoor horse arena. A sand covered arena with seating round the outside. The doors open at 3.00 p.m. and the price for over 60's is - nothing! We arrived not knowing what to expect, just as well as we did not understand a thing! However after two days we had gained some understanding of what was happening, so will relate it with hindsight rather than actual experience. This is my own definitive description, so don't hold me to account for mistakes.The programme of events has three elements: Gourd Dance, Grand Entry and Competition. The cycle of elements is gone through on Friday night and repeated in sessions on Saturday afternoon and again on Saturday night, each cycle becomes more important and exciting. Each element is carried out with the precision of an Asian Wedding, you know the order it will happen in, you just don't know when it's going to happen.
I started to write a description of the Pow Wow, but it has gotten slightly out of hand, so I have published it as a separate page, rather than bore every who reads this.
Needless to say we really enjoyed our weekend being involved with Native Americans. Some of the highlights were as usual about meeting people. We sat in a different areas for each session and very quickly people around us got to talk with us. During the event I had noticed that the volunteers had very nice Tee-shirts and mentioned to one man, who was beautifully attired in his regalia that I would have liked to have purchased a Tee-shirt. He said "Wait here!" He wandered off to the main stage and spoke earnestly to the officials. Then he came back and asked us for our details. About an hour later the M.C. welcomed us as visitors from "Yorkshyre, England", I had to go up on the stage, we got a big round of applause and they presented me with two Tee shirts. We were deeply touched. Again we were touched when about 3 minutes later a man came up to us and presented us with a small decorative War Bonnett, saying that he wanted one of his pieces to be taken back to England. At one time we were talking to about half a dozen people, inspecting their costumes and talking about the dances. The man who had talked to the M.C. was not only a dancer, but also one of the judges (all the competitions needed judges) and it was great to just talk with him.
We had a wander round the vendor stalls and eventually bought a small, but very pretty, print. we had looked at buying a Navajo Rug, which had been made from scratch, spun, dyed and woven, by one of the vendors grandmother, but just as we were looking at them a woman came up and bought both of the rugs that were for sale! There were no other rugs for sale anywhere at the Pow Wow! we were disappointed, as all these vendors were genuine, selling indian goods to other indians.
I was also forced to buy a Navajo Fry Bread following a conversation with the two ladies who were outside the arena making and frying them. They only charged $2, usually at rodeos and festivals they are $5.
Because we were over 60 we did not have to pay to get in, so at one of the giveaways I went down on to the dance circle and put a contribution onto the blanket for the host Drum Crews, so at least I joined in a little bit.
The people we met there really made us feel a part of the Pow Wow, we most enjoyed watching the Grand Entry, which was very spectacular. We also enjoyed starting to understand some of the more subtle meaning behind things like the Gourd Dance, the place of Veterans and the importance of rank and age in their culture.
It was interesting just watching the dancers getting dressed, as the costumes are quite complex. Little things. We watched one lady (Tina) overcome the problem of sitting down with her Jingle costume, she wore shorts under her dress and just pulled it up round her waist to sit down. One lad, Ty, had an amazing blue and orange suit, with neck feathers and bustle. In the middle of the bustle he had a little badge with a Nike Swoosh embroidered on to it. I complemented him on his dress and asked for a photo. I mentioned the Nike Swoosh, to which he seemed very pleased. I then wondered if perhaps it was a Navajo symbol that had been stolen by Nike, so I looked that up and found it was designed by a woman in 1971 in Portland, Or, home of Nike. She was paid $35 for the work! Later she was given nike shares, which were then worth $150, but today are worth $680,000 - she still has them.
We saw one bustle which had the complete head and neck of an eagle in its centre. Though bustles are very important on their dress, I have no idea why they use them.
Overall it was a very pleasant experience. The only drawback was that because it was indoors our pictures are pretty rubbish, but they are a record. I am sure we will get to another one which is outdoors.
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