This weekend I had the opportunity to attend the annual Wacipi Pow Wow in Shakopee, hosted by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. I had been wanting to go to a pow wow for a long time since I hadn't been to one since I lived on the Tohono O'Odham Nation in Arizona (ten years ago now!). My friend Kara and her husband live on the reservation in Shakopee, so we took Olivia to her very first pow wow. (Next year she'll be old enough to dance!)
I can't describe the feelings I had watching the dancers make their Grand Entry, but it moved me in many ways. If you have been with me long enough, you know I feel a very strong connection to the Native culture and feel a deep sadness for everything they've lost in the past 300 years. Instead of getting sad about it now, I would like to share photos of the dancers in their traditional dress.....
It was great (other than the heat!)
Everyone should attend a pow wow at least once in their life!
that looks awesome!!!
Posted by: Helmet | August 19, 2008 at 10:31 AM
What an experience. I love all of the bold colors that they are dressed in.
Posted by: Leslie | August 19, 2008 at 11:02 AM
All the colors are amazing.
Posted by: Kim | August 19, 2008 at 12:43 PM
WOW!!! I would love to attend a POW WOW. Believe it or not, being as white as I am we have indian on my side of my family. My grandmothers mom was Indian and our geneology goes back to Pocohontas. Pretty Cool!
My husband's family also does and you can tell on him. Although, people laugh at me when I say that I do because I am very fair.
Posted by: Denise | August 19, 2008 at 04:16 PM
WOW! How awesome is that!!!
Posted by: adrienne | August 19, 2008 at 04:53 PM
i agree, i went to a much smaller powwow in ely, mn at vermilion community college. it was pretty cool. i would have liked to see this one, too.
Posted by: jessica | August 19, 2008 at 09:13 PM
That's a LOT of dancers! How exciting that must have been!!
Posted by: Lisa's Chaos | August 20, 2008 at 12:05 AM
All the colors and costumes look great. I will have to check them out sometime. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community donated to Michael's sister, Cherrie's benefit.
Posted by: Dana | August 20, 2008 at 10:07 AM
How awesome! My friend Becky is native american. She actually works for the reservation (mille lacs band of ojibwe). I never had a chance to go to a pow wow but would love it.
Oh, and Olivia is adorable!
Posted by: Michelle | August 21, 2008 at 02:38 PM