Eighth annual Saginaw Chippewa Round Dance delivers a strong message of Anishinaabe
4/30/2015 2:00:00 PM - Tribal Observer

By Joseph V. Sowmick, Photojournalist

The Saginaw Chippewa Round Dance has built a reputation that is well known by people far and wide as the one round dance in the area that does things as close to the original round dances as possible. 

On March 13 and 14, the drummers, singers, round dancers, vendors and family delivered a strong message of tradition and culture and what it means to be Anishinaabe.

Saginaw Chippewa Academy Anishnaabe Bimaadziwin Teachers Nathan Isaac, Aaron Chivis, “Bud” Day and Matthew “Cub” Sprague joined their Niij, Stickman Joe Syrette, as they coordinated the beautiful gathering of community.  

“On Saturday night, we began with a pipe ceremony and feast. The feast was placed upon the floor on the color red,” Isaac said. “This is also done during traditional spirit feasts. The color red represents our mother, the Earth.  The food is placed upon her as these gifts of food all came from her.  The food was smudged, a spirit plate was made and Tribal Elder George Martin was given semaa to speak for the food. As the planning team and organizers, we wanted the feast to be a highlighted point in the evening.  We wanted to demonstrate points of the traditional spirit feast.  The round dance is about remembering our loved ones who have passed on. The feast was mainly for them and we were all just fortunate to be able to share in it with them.”

World-class hand drum singers across Canada and the United States converged at the Eagles Nest Tribal Gym as ReZonance Production once more provided a live recording and web stream of the action for social media. 

Invited Canadian dignitaries included Alberta drummers Arnold Alexis and Wayne Moberly;

Dezi Chocan and Biddy Keewatin from Saskatchewan; Dan Isaac from Quebec and four drummers from Ontario; Matt Isaac, Nathan Roy, Gabe Gaudet and Elijah Stevens.

Invited U.S. singers included Hokie Clairmont, Opie and Hallo Day from Minnesota, James Stephenson from Texas and Jermaine Bell from Wyoming.

SCA Principal Marcella Mosqueda and teachers came out in support of their students who were gifted with a certificate and an honor song at the Saturday round dance festivities.

“Each year, one gwiizens (boy) and one kwezens (girl) from each SCA class is chosen and honored at the annual round dance,” Mosqueda said. “They are chosen for their hard work, academic achievements and strong participation in Anishnaabe Bimaadziwin class. Our academic teachers and AB teachers had some tough decisions to make this year and I am so proud of each and every one of our Academy students.”

The Class of 2015 honored SCA students were pre-kindergarteners Zhaabwii Pamp-Ettinger and Donovan Harris; Kindergarten: Syriana Smith and Angelo Leaureaux; 1st Grade: Kayana Pelcher and Quinn Pelcher; 2nd Grade: Fredrick Highley and Meadow David; 3rd Grade: Raymond Pelcher and Felicia Saunders; 4th Grade: Paul Shomin and Julianna Garcia; 5th Grade: Mnookmi Massey and Jacob Williams; and 6th Grade: Lars George and Liberty Morland.

Isaac mentions a somber and very powerful point in the evening was the memorial song offered just before the midnight lunch. 

“All those who have suffered a loss in the past year or years, were encouraged to come out for the song,” he said. “Many people e-mailed in a photo of their loved ones and the slideshow was on display most of the night and during the memorial song…I had tears in my own eyes for the losses I’ve felt over the years…It is a great, positive and healthy way to release the feeling of loss.  Following the memorial song, a very beautiful prayer was shared by our fluent Anishnaabemowin speaking emcee, Mike Sullivan of Lac Courte Oreilles, Wisconsin.  I recall the gym was so quiet during the time of prayer.  Then the celebration of life continued until 5:30 a.m. with joyful and energizing songs.”

Through Facebook and verbal comments, the SCA AB Team organizers confirmed they have been told that this was “the round dance of the year” for many people.  These comments came from people who attend cultural gatherings and round dances across Indian Country regularly.  The team believes much of the success is due to the many traditional aspects that have been incorporated into this year’s round dance as well as the line-up of world class, champion singers.

This event would not have been possible without massive support of many caring individuals, departments and organizations.  The eighth annual Round Dance Committee would like to say “miigwetch” to the following:

-The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Council for their continued support.

-Tonya Jackson and the Saginaw Chippewa Youth Council for all of their devoted work.

-Youth LEAD Diversion for the feast sponsorship.

-SCIT Public Relations for the lodging sponsorship for all the invited singers.

-Christina Halliwill and her kitchen crew for the feast preparation.

-The Kabob Stop for donating and preparing the midnight lunch.

-The Anishnaabe Language Revitalization Department for the emcee sponsorship.

-Angel Jackson for the contributions and assisting with the lodging.

-Ziibiwing Cultural Society for the sponsorship,

-The Women’s Professional Billiards Association (WPBA) for the sponsorship.

-Iliana Bennett for the contributions.

-All the community members who brought food for the feast.

-All the local singers for coming to support the invited singers and their songs.

-All the SCA teachers and staff who came to support the SCA student honoring ceremony.

- Chief Steven Pego and his wife, Mae, for attending and providing spot-dance cash prizes.

- SCIT Tribal Administration for their support.

-Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department for checking in and making sure everything was safe.

-SCIT Tribal Maintenance for the work-ordered clean-up assistance.

The Saginaw Chippewa Round Dance is traditionally