Pow Wow keeps traditions alive

culture step out of the history books and
come alive.

The Pow Wow has generated more in-
terest in some years than in others. It
generally attracts Indians from the Great
Lakes region and Canada, but i-
pants have come from as far n is
Oklahoma, Arizona, Manitoba and Sas-
katchewan.

NEWS ARTS WRITER

Listen' • •"• xt!1"' r' hner, coordina-
tor <* ;»al Ann Arbor
Pow Wow that will be held this
weekend'aTffie''Michigan Coliseum, one
gets the impression that the situation has
come full circle.

Dashner is the Native American stu-
'^derit representative to the University of
Michigan Office's of Minority Student
Services, veteran attender of pow wows
and, as a member of the Chippewa tribe
that spans the Canadian/Wisconsin bor-
der, sd " '"g of an expert on Native
Amersi »ure.

. c] D a

Dancing at Pow Wows falls basical-
ly into two categories: the tradi-
tional dance, which makes use of
what Dashner calls the "hunting or track-
ing mode of thought," and fancy dance,
which is more free form in its movement,
lends itself to improvisation and is
quicker paced.

Dashner says the actual dance steps
are something learned mostly by watch-
ing what others are do; trying to
imitate them. But really .anL'oug dancers,
he says, will keep their best moves secret
until the competition.

Costuming is also extremely important
and dancers take years accumulating the
fancy shirts, leggings, aprons, feathers
and beadwork that go into their outfits. It
can, be an expensive proposition. Trade
cloth for aprons alone costs $35 a yard.

Dashner began his costume in 1974 and
has spent years collecting and research-
ing to make it authentic. He was especial-
ly proud of a beautiful ribbon shirt deco-
rated with a large thunderbird on its
back. But he do^""^ ^ave it anymore. He
gave it to one ( lends when he had
his "giveaway" la;'

That was the yea
to be the head dancer in the Pow Wow
celebration. The head dancer leads the
grand entry of all the participants and it
is considered a great honor not just for
the person selected but for his whole fam-
ily as well.

In Native American culture, when
someone is honore- s has what
is called a "giveavm^, n,, .vhich he or
she gives things to other special people in
the community. Tobacco is traditionally
a common gift but, says Dashner, the far-
ther west you go, the more elaborate the
gifts tend to become. He has heard of
horses and even cars being given away.

"It is limited by the resources and gen-
erosity of the person honored," he says.
"The more they take the tradition to
heart, the more that is given away."

Of giving away his favorite ribbon
shirt, Dashner sav** "It was a good feel-
ing and it was It was a joy to see
someone else have ii. It was not a sacri-
fice, it was an honor."

The two events he speaks about both
center around Wounded Knee, S.D. That
w; ite where the Indian "rebellion"
of me ia80s was effectively crushed,
along with many Native American cultur-
al traditions. It was the civil rights sit-ins
at the same location nearly a century lat-
,cr thti olically started a slow re-
birth oi thv,.,.^. traditions.

It was at about that same time, in the
early W that the University of Michi-
gan's American Student Associ-
ation (NASA) organized the first Ann Ar-
bor Pow Wow. The event has been under
ythe aegis of that group^wer since.

The Pow Wow grew out of NASA'S con-
viction that the University needed Native
American cultural programs if it ever
hoped to attract Native American stu-
dents. The Pow Wow has since become a
prime recruiting tool, and Dashner him-
self is evidence of its efficacy. He was re-
cruited to the University at one of the ear-
ly pow wows here.

8'iashner credits Henry Johnson, U-M's
»iee president for student services, with
the foresi »ee just how valuable a
tool these „. ,,..»„ could be. His office was
fi s locate $2,000 seed money to keep
the A-ow Wows going. The Office of the
Vice President for Student Services is
also one of the 10 sponsors of this year's
event. . ' •''," ' -:" ':''

a a a

hat exactly happens at a pow
i,v/,,,.«? TV, inrimns sit around pon-
crring. Smoke a
^pe or iwo ana men go home? Not

This fancy dancer car"" "'I the way from Minneapolis for the 1977 Pow Wow.

Today's ^vi^v wows, like the one at the
Michigan Coliseum this weekend, are
genuine cultura' ^lebrations that
include indigenous Indian music,
crafts and, most of all, dancing.

Today's pow wo "senuine cultural
celebrations that 3? < ; indigenous Indi-
an music, crafts and, most of all, danc-
ing.

There are exhibitions as well as compe-
tition •" ?1 ince, with separate competi-
tions i's « 11, women and children. A to-
tal of $4,000 in prize money is at stake this
weekend.

The prize money is, admittedly, an at-
traction, but for Native Americans pow
wows are also a time to see old friends,
renew tribal customs and celebrate their
heritage. The event is also open to the
general public, offering a unique opportu-
nity for others to see the Native American

The 14th annual Ann Arbor Pow Wow will be
held Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 10
p m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p."» a* (hp

htgan Coliseum, Hill Strec -ith Fifth
Avenue. Admission is $4 a day tor adults, $2 a
day children, with group, student and family