Powwow 101

American Indian music sounded and flashes of color were displayed against the bright blue sky Saturday, while expressive dancers dressed in full regalia moved swiftly and eagerly to the beat.

Wanda Batten and her two girls, Morgan, 9, and Carolann, 7, all of Chester, lll., sat on a bench at Trail of Tears State Park, near Otahki's Grave, and spent the afternoon learning about American Indian culture and tradition.

The event was planned to reinforce powwow etiquette, customs, dance and show honor and appreciation for the creator and American Indian elders. Batten said she'd attended reenactments of peace treaty signings, but this was her first time attending a powwow class. She was encouraged to attend by her mother-in-law, who feels it's important for her granddaughters to know their Cherokee heritage.

Coordinators of the event, April Rhodes and Diana Lawson, both Cherokee, hope the meeting will aid in preserving American Indian heritage.

"Due to cutbacks and lack of funding, several annual powwows have closed down," said Rhodes.

United Native American People president Curt Brown and his wife, Lee Brown, UNAP secretary, were the main teachers at the class commonly referred to as Powwow 101. Curt, who has spent about 20 years providing school programs for various communities said, "The UNAP welcomes supporters of the culture to come out to learn and enjoy -- not just Native Americans. The best thing about attending these gatherings is seeing old friends and meeting new ones -- that is the main idea of a powwow."

Customs like smudging were performed and explained. Charlie Motley, a teenager from Jackson, got smudged. Smudging, or the burning of sage in a seashell while wafting the smoke with a feather fan over the front and back of another's body, is a customary way of purifying.

Charlie also tried some beaver chili. He and his sister, Amanda, came to learn about American Indians and shared the same opinion on the chili -- it was good.

Powwows are "a sacred time to honor the earth; God and all that's made; and our elders. We dance as an honor," said Carol Richmond, who also teaches school programs in Cape Girardeau, Stoddard and Butler counties.

Spotted Horse, a 14-year-old also known as Vivian Brown, is a Thunderbird Society junior princess and UNAP princess. She was at the event exhibiting powwow dances.

"The regalia for Jingle Dance is a 365-day commitment," she said. The regalia is created one day at a time for a year while burning sage and sweet grass.

"You put a prayer into each jingle. You might ask the creator for something to happen in the coming years," said Vivian. Silver snuff can lids are shaped into cones and sewn horizontally in rows across a dress -- the affect is a jingley, shiny outift.

UNAP will sponsor the upcoming 7th Annual Intertribal Living Indian Village on June 5 and 6 at Old Greenville Recreational Area on Highway 67, two miles south of Greenville, Mo. Many activities, including dancing, drumming, craft demonstrations, and hawk, knife and spear throwing will be demonstrated. It is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Browns at (573) 238-3856.