The sounds of the haunting Native American flutes filled the gymnasium as Native American musician Eagle Warrior played a love song for the audience.
The story to go along with the song told that if a young man serenaded a girl with his flute and she became his wife, his flute could not be played again because it had served its purpose.
This performance, along with seminars, shopping, and dancing were all found at the 10th annual Morning Star Pow Wow.
The event raised money for the St. Labre Indian School on January 9. It started off at 10 a.m. with vendors opening for business and lasted until 8 p.m. with the end of the evening dance session.
The event was headed by Vice Principal for Academics Gary Scholl and his senior anthropology class. Mr. Scholl estimated that they raised around $3,000 for the school.
The goal of the event, besides to raise money for the tribe, was to send a message “of thanksgiving and joy as we celebrate the Native American culture,” said Scholl.
Throughout the entrance of the school, vendors lined the walls with jewelry cases, dream catchers, flutes and clothing. Senior Austin Goyla enjoyed browsing the vendors’ booths because they had “interesting merchandise.”
Besides the vendors and dances, this year included a moccasin seminar. All dancers were given t-shirts and the best dancers could win prizes as well.
The grand entrance at 1 p.m. involved all of the participants. The head man, Emil her Many Horses, and the head woman, Mary Ann Robins, led the participants in a dance around the gymnasium. The northern drum, led by Black Horse Butte, and the southern drum, led by Black Bear, took turns leading songs.
The Pow Wow is an important event for some Native Americans, including Eagle Warrior. Eagle Warrior described it as “being able to express my heritage. It is very special when you’re dancing to the drum. It transports you back to the days of my ancestors. The feeling is indescribable.”
He enjoys the event because he begins to feel “Pow Wow withdrawal” in the winter and feels this “is a wonderful [opportunity]” to dance again. He has participated since the event’s beginning ten years ago, returning each year “for the tradition.”
“It’s really eye opening to see how the Native American life has been commercialized. This [the ceremonies and dances] are their true way of life,” said senior Courtney Harrison, an anthropology student.
Senior Harrison Gaeng, also an anthropology student, gained a “greater appreciation for the value of community” as he watched the Native Americans interact at the Pow Wow.
“If you stay around for a while and watch, you’ll see the spirit of this event,” said Scholl. “I enjoy seeing the people come together.”
Rachel Kokoska can be reached for comment at [email protected].
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