What an inspiration. This beautiful event takes place once a year at Mare Island in Vallejo. It is free. The organizers do a great job to create an inclusive gathering for all people. The circle dances after the Grand Entry are great to see and experience. I imagine that this sort of gathering, in this same inclusive community-celebrating spirit, has been occuring for thousands of years. Here it is 2011 and to see people participating in the celebration of the living community, descended from those who have suffered genocide on American soil not that long ago. The whole event was positive and peaceful. I have been reading "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee", a history of the native Americans at the end of the 19th century. I expected an element of anger and sadness to be present at the pow wow. Not at all. The whole theme was about health and wellness. Every thing that we felt was so positive and inspirational.
My favorite dance was the "pow wow princess": the presentation of a young person who is studying at UC Berkeley. She goes around the circle once, dancing to the drummers (who were authentic, powerful and grounding) then is met by family and friends who walk and dance behind her. There were young and old. It brought a tear to my eye to see the support for this one person, doing something very important, getting her education, with pride. I thought of all the people that came before her to help make this moment happen. What a celebration of community. This was amazing to experience.
Also great to see is the "tiny tots" come into the circle. They are celebrated and supported with school supplies and various gifts. So cute.
While walking around the outer circle to see the vendors, we heard the celebration of those who have been clean and sober for x-many years. They stood together and presented themselves to the community. I felt the strength of the group and the large support one must feel in this connection. A celebration of health and wellness. Great!
It is cool to see all the beautiful clothing, masks, headdresses and jewelry. read more