Indians bless grounds

INTER-TRIBAL POW WOW

Traditional culture paramount as tribes gather

NICK KRUG/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Dressed traditionally, Seminole tribesman Raymond Alexander, of Wichita, watches the opening ceremonial gourd dancers during Friday evening's Inter-Tribal Pow Wow at Lake Shawnee.

By John Chambers

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

With the blessing of the ceremonial grounds, Shawnee County Allied Tribes Inc. opened its 14th annual three-day Traditional Inter- Tribal Pow Wow on Friday evening at Lake Shawnee.

Christian Kramer, of Topeka, president of Standing Bear Inter- Tribal Brotherhood, conducted the smoke and water ceremony that blessed the grounds, invited the Great Spirit and removed all evil.

American Indians from across the country are gathering to renew their contacts with their traditional cultures. The Standing Bear brotherhood is the host gourd society for the powwow. The powwow recognizes north and south traditions of American Indian cultures.

Among those watching the opening ceremony was Charlie Little Coyote, 77, who holds a lifetime membership in the Standing Bear gourd society. As Little Coyote, a Cheyenne from Oklahoma, conversed with other spectators, he shared his regrets that most children of Indian ancestry are losing their contact with their heritage, especially the native languages, and that there seldom is room in the modern curriculum for the native culture.

Little Coyote takes pride in his ability to converse fluently in the Cheyenne language.

Earlier, more than 400 third-graders and their teachers from Topeka Unified School District 501 and surrounding districts came to the powwow grounds on the east side of the lake to learn about Indian culture.

As many as 36 tribes from throughout the United States are gathering for the powwow, which in the past has drawn as many as 10,000 people. Lapel buttons, which sell at the gate for $8 for adults, are good for all three days.

Topekan Mike Ballard, chairman of the powwow, said about 100 volunteers put on the celebration. Today's and Sunday's events will begin at 12:30 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. The grounds will be open at 10 a.m. Booths will offer various foods and crafts. A large tent on the grounds will serve as a learning center for passing on cultural skills.

Two elders will be honored this weekend. They are Joy Yoshida, whose Indian name is Sagi Quah and who was born on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation at Mayetta in 1934. She will be honored today. Tim Tieyah, of Topeka, a Comanche originally from Lawton, Okla., will be honored Sunday.

A Joe Lewis Memorial Straight Dance today will honor the late Joseph L. Lewis, of Topeka, who died Sept. 7, 2000. He had served in the National Guard for 20 years and was a member of the Inter- Tribal board, a gourd dancer and a traditional dancer.

"For the Native American, the powwow is a compelling statement of Native American identity, a chance to hold onto traditional customs and beliefs that have sustained and nourished their culture for generations," states a brief history of the powwow. "We cannot bring back the past. We can hold on to our traditions and carry them into the future with us."

John Chambers can be reached

at (785) 295-1204

or john.chambers@cjonline.com.

ONLINE

View additional photos from the Traditional Inter-Tribal Pow Wow at Lake Shawnee.

cjonline.com

Please see POWWOW, Page 5A

Continued from Page 1A

Powwow: Up to 36 tribes are gathering

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