Hakamé. Greetings from Shinnecock.
Powwow season is upon us! This Saturday, April 17, Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, will host its ninth annual Spring Thaw Powwow on Pembroke Field from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Several of us, at least two carloads, are looking forward to heading up to fellowship with our Narragansett and Wampanoag friends—the first of many meetings we will partake in this powwow season.
The last two Spring Thaw Powwows we attended at Brown had to be moved into the Pizzitola Gym because of rain, which is forecast yet again for Saturday, but we are hopeful that this dry, warm weather will hold steady for us, especially because of the prediction for higher attendance this year. And aside from the obvious space issues an indoor powwow incurs, nothing really says powwow like having the earth under your feet and endless sky above—now if only we’d be allowed time to have a fire ...
Earth or no earth, sky or no sky, fire or no fire, the Gathering of Nations Powwow in Albuquerque, New Mexico more than lives up to its name by being the largest gathering of Natives and other indigenous peoples from across the United States, Canada and several other countries around the globe. This year’s Gathering, from Thursday, April 22, through Saturday, April 24, is particularly special to Shinnecock, as our own Hanovi Smith will be honored as Male Head Dancer. Many of us are looking forward to traveling out west to witness this momentous occasion. Formerly held indoors at University of New Mexico’s basketball arena known as “The Pit,” this year the location has been moved across the street to the university’s Athletic Complex. We are interested in seeing how the change in venue pans out.
Gathering of Nations Powwow is also known for its Miss Indian World pageant, the crowning of the Native woman who best exemplifies her tribe’s culture and traditions through knowledge, talent and personality. Our own princesses, Miss Shinnecock Teen Autumn Rose Williams and Miss Shinnecock Junior Teen Mattah Wright, will be attending all three days of the pageant so that they may witness the great honor that hard work and dedication can bring, for they, too, will one day be eligible to compete.
Beyond witnessing the crowning of Miss Indian World, simply having the opportunity to be at Gathering, in the melting pot of Indian Country where all Nations assemble, is an overwhelming lesson in Native pride and a culturally enriching experience for any individual. And for that honor, the Miss Shinnecock Teen Pageant committee would like to thank the entire Shinnecock community for coming out to their many fry bread and flea market fund-raisers, as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars Southampton Post 7009, Shinnecock Indian Education, Shinnecock Nation 2009 Tribal Trustees, and Trustee Lance Gumbs for their sponsorship in making this trip possible. Tabutné!
on Apr 16, 2010