2? Art of Dance
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i
he normal silence oflhc Winnebago
Reservation was interrupted last
weekend by the steady beat of a
drum at the annual Homecoming
“II we see something we like, we usually of
fer something of equal value so the other per
son benefits from the deal,” Bear Ike said. “If
one wishes to buv something from a comnanv.
Leieoration rowwow. i nc event has been car
ried on for the past 128 years.
Entering the grounds that morning, specta
tors could see the Women’s Traditional danc
ers perform steps that have been passed down
for generations. This small group was only a
fraction of the 218 Native Americans who
they usually pay for it. For instance, bustles
(frames I ined with feathers on the backs of male
dancers) will usually run about $1200.
Along with dancers, various drum groups
are invited to perform songs and establish
rhythm for the dance competitions.
Jack Anquoe, leader and comnoscr for the
would display an art
form of their past and
present.
Returning to the res
ervation from all over the
United States, the
Winnebagos use this
event to visit and relax,
heal and grow.
Betty Earth, a Nebra
ska Winnebago whose
-* family now lives in Mil
waukee, said it’s a time
to visit and trade stories.
“Everything is done
in good faith,” she said.
“It’s also a time to make
new friends.”
For many, the Pow
wow stretches back to
their youth.
Gray Horse Singers, said the
songs arc stories of Mother
Earth, the Creator and the
past.
“What we and the other
drummers do is not a show,”
he said. “This is a cultural
tradition and together with
the dancing, our way oflifc
is carried on.”
Each drum group tours
many Powwows and other
ceremonies every year, he
said.
Norma Scaler, treasurer of
the Winnebago Tribal Coun
cil, said that keeping with
tradition, all dancers, drum
mers and others involved
receive prize money or gifts.
“Fortv-four thousand dol
I introduced my daughter to the dancing
when she was four days old,” Earth said. “Most
people return to dance until they arc too old but,
still they show up to watch and remember.”
Among those who came to watch was a
groupor4fe University of Nebraska-Lincoln in
ternational afTairs students. The students, from
Europe, Asia, Japan and the Bahamas, came
to learn about the history of the people who
lived here before the white man.
Yenbo Wu, international student adviser and
program coordinator, said the trip was part of
a series of ventures that the department will be
having to acclimate students to the U.S.
“We want them to see how the Native
Americans live and perform various aspects of
their culture,” he said. “This experience will
enable our students to begin to understand
what’s real from what’s seen at the movies.”
Some of the traditions the students watched
were the various forms of dancing. From men’s
and women’s traditional dance to the entrance
dance, participants and visitors alike could sec
the elaborate costumes and decorations which
have so much meaning in Native American I ife.
Travis Bear Ike from Sioux City, Iowa said
that most people trade for the different devices
that comprise their outfits.
lars was given away to winners and participants
this year,” she said. “As with the past years, all
revenue generated is used towards the next
year’s event.”
The dancers and their families spent the four
days encamped on the surrounding hill. Trail
ers. tents, cars and tipis filled the sloping rise
giving a cramped city-like feel to the solomn,
yet charged atmosphere.
Betty Earth said the dance circle represents
ever lasting life.
“The circle is never-ending, the same with
our life force,” she said. “Dancing around and
around represents this on-going cycle.”
As the day wore into evening, the celebrat
ing—which originated from a feast and vic
tory dance Chief Little Priest sponsored after
helping quell the Sioux uprising in 1865—was
gaining momentum. The dancing and social
izing continued into night and the next day.
When the beat of the host drum faded, the
last weary dancers packed away their colorful
and symbolic clothing for another day. Many
would remember the sharing and growing of
this Powwow.
“We will come together once again next year,
and share stories, dances and love with all the
people,” Betty Earth said. “It is our way.”
Photos and Story
By Jason Levkulich
In the walkways encircling the dance arena, various dealers sell
their wares such as this pottery.
Lucas Lonetree dances in full regalia during the grand
entrance.
