The rhythmic pounding of the drum echoed through Open Space Park on Tuesday, voices ringing out from the large tent housing the Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabek Pow Wow.
Hosted annually during the National Cherry Festival, the event featured hours of traditional singing and dancing from tribal members across Michigan.
Some women danced in vibrant regalia and jingle dresses, the metal cones sewn into their fabric chiming with each step. Otter skin hair ties ran down their shoulders as they stepped with the rhythm of the drums.
Many men wore vivid headdresses, and some carried dance sticks, their every motion purposeful.
Dancers of all ages flooded the tent during the Pow Wow’s opening ceremony, which was followed by a “welcome song” that drew crowds of onlookers.
The multiple intertribal dances that followed encouraged people of all tribes as well as non-natives to join in the experience.
“Don’t live in regret,” announced Master of Ceremonies Paul Raphael, "come out and dance!"
Quinten Schwander, one of the Pow Wow’s vendors, was selling T-shirts printed with intricate designs of various animals.
Schwander said that the Pow Wow was his third event selling his creations alongside his niece and nephew.
Schwander said that he really liked the fact that people who may have never encountered Native culture were attending the event.
“I think all Pow Wows are pretty important,” he said. “I think it's just for people to experience Native culture and, you know, actually see us for who we are – instead of just seeing who we are on TV.”
The “spot dance” offered attendees of the Pow Wow to earn some money if they joined in a dance. The individual standing on a pre-determined spot of the large circle after the dance ended won $25. When the music stopped, contributors from all around the tent had brought that total up to $75.
The Wiigwaasmin Pageant also took place during the event, offering competitions for the titles of Wiigwaasmin Warrior, Little Miss Wiigwaasmin and Miss Wiigwaasmin.
Aaron Chivis is the cultural department manager with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Chivis said that preparation for the annual Pow Wow usually begins around January each year, reaching out to different head dignitaries, staff, dancers and drummers from around the state.
Chivis said the event celebrates, showcases and promotes Indigenous cultures.
This promotion is necessary, he said, because there are some people who do not understand that Indigenous culture is still alive.
“We're still here – and that's right here in Michigan," he said. "So (we do) anything we can do to kind of promote who we are and showcase our beautiful language and culture.”
Chivis emphasized that during events, such as the Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabek Pow Wow, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians holds true to the teachings of respect and making everyone feel “at home.”
“I hope that (attendees) walk away with a little bit more knowledge and understanding that Indigenous cultures and peoples are still here,” Chivis said. “We're still thriving. We're still, you know, trying to make it to another day.”
This story was produced in partnership with the Traverse City Record-Eagle as part of the Michigan News Group Internship Program, a collaboration between WCMU Public Media and local newspapers in central and northern Michigan. The program’s mission is to train the next generation of journalists and combat the rise of rural news deserts.
