Hundreds of people converged at the Menominee Casino Resort in Keshena on Saturday to soothe the winter blues and kick off the powwow season.
The fifth annual Winter Welcome Pow Wow was conceived by the late William Pyawasit to bring together Menominee Indian tribal members and others.
Pywasit was a 1998 graduate of Menominee Indian High School and cultural teacher at Keshena Primary School prior to his death in 2012.
“It is kind of a kickoff of our powwow season and encourages everyone to get out of the house,” co-master of ceremonies Joey Awanohopay said. “This is a time where we can be sociable, dance and have fun.”
The Oneida, Ho Chunk, Chippewa and Stockbridge tribes also participated, along with representatives of the Lac du Flambeau and the Bad River Ojibwe, according to Awanohopay.
Awanohopay said the event helps, at least temporarily, to set aside tribal issues, such as the Menominee’s failed efforts to establish a casino in Kenosha, and to enjoy cultural traditions.
“Today is a day where we all set aside all of our differences and forget all of the troubles,” Awanohopay said.
Awanohopay’s co-master of ceremonies, Joey Besaw, said powwows are sacred and spiritual gatherings that date back thousands of years. It is a time to set aside differences, he said.
“We do that in every powwow, and (politics) has no place in the circle here,” Besaw said. “We are here for singing and dancing.”
The event included two grand entries and exhibitions of traditional Native American dances featuring all ages, from toddlers to adults, as well crafts, food and other entertainment.
“We wanted to welcome anyone from the community in during the middle of winter and come on over, sing and dance, and have a good time,” Besaw said.
Besaw, who was at the inaugural Winter Welcome in 2010, said the event has been well received.
James Reiter, general manager of the Menominee Casino Resort, thanked the hundreds of people for attending the event and emphasized supporting the many facets of the Winter Welcome Pow Wow, including the craft vendors.
Categories
