VW Buckeye Youth experiences powwow

LOUDONVILLE — Buckeye Youth recently traveled to the Mohican Reservation near Loudonville to attend the 27th annual Great Mohican Powwow.  The powwow is the Native American people’s way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting and renewing old friendships.  The different tribes come together to renew thought of the old ways and to preserve their rich heritage.

The Powwow singers were very important figures in the Native American culture.  The songs performed at the event are sung in several different ways. They sing some in vocables to replace the words of old songs.  Some of the songs are sung in native tongue and are reminders to the Indian people of their heritage.  The songs are accompanied by strong drumbeats that dancers perform to in the large circle.  The dancers are dressed in traditional regalia and dance different types of dances to the music.

The ceremony begins with the Grand Entry.  Native American veterans enter the arena first carrying the U.S. flag, tribal flags, POW flag and eagle staffs of various tribes present. The Native American Powwow honors all the veterans of all wars and invites all the veterans in the crowd into the arena for the grand entry. Following the veterans are other important guests including tribal chiefs, princesses, elders, and the powwow organizers. Next in line are the men dancers, followed by the women dancers. The song ends and a new song is sung to honor the flag and veterans. After prayer, the dancing resumes, usually with a few Round Dances. Then intertribal dancing songs are sung and everyone dances to the beat of the drum.

Buckeye Youth is a United Way agency and also receives funding from The Van Wert County Foundation.