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.
Details:
From https://www.sanjuancollege.edu/pages/3062.asp
SAN JUAN COLLEGE 8TH ANNUAL CONTEST POW WOW
April 10 & 11, 2015 at McGee Park Coliseum
Friday, April 10
3:00p Doors Open 5:00p Gourd Dance
3:00-7:00p Registration
7:00p Grand Entry
Saturday, April 12
9:00a Doors Open 10:00a–12:00p Gourd Dance
10:00a–7:00p Registration
12:00p Grand Entry
5:00–7:00p Gourd Dance
7:00p Grand Entry
10:00a–7:00p Registration
12:00p Grand Entry
5:00–7:00p Gourd Dance
7:00p Grand Entry
General Information
This is an indoor event. More information will be available soon. Please check back.
Head Staff
Host Northern Drum: Northern Cree, Saddle Lake, Alberta, Canada
Host Southern Drum: Thunder Hill, Weatherford, Oklahoma
Master of Ceremonies: Ruben Little Head Sr., Lame Deer, Montana
Master of Ceremonies for Gourd Dance: Erny Zah, Sawmill, Arizona
Arena Director: Michael Grant, Sr., Bloomfield, New Mexico
Head Gourd Dancer: Afrem H. Wall, Sr., Towaco, Colorado
Head Man: Alejandro Uentillie
Head Woman: Kelsi L’u Beth Monroe
Host Southern Drum: Thunder Hill, Weatherford, Oklahoma
Master of Ceremonies: Ruben Little Head Sr., Lame Deer, Montana
Master of Ceremonies for Gourd Dance: Erny Zah, Sawmill, Arizona
Arena Director: Michael Grant, Sr., Bloomfield, New Mexico
Head Gourd Dancer: Afrem H. Wall, Sr., Towaco, Colorado
Head Man: Alejandro Uentillie
Head Woman: Kelsi L’u Beth Monroe
Admission
- Ages 6-59 - $7
- Ages 5 and under - Free
- Elders 60+ - Free
- Singers and Dancers must pay the daily admission fee of $7
No comments:
Post a Comment