Excitement comes together with tradition and culture at 31st annual SCIT Powwow
8/13/2015 9:00:00 AM - Tribal Observer

By Joseph V. Sowmick, Photojournalist

As the summer breeze moved through the Reservation, a sense of excitement came together with tradition and culture as the community celebrates the 31st annual SCIT Powwow.

A registered 326 dancers with drummers and powwow royalty joined guests from all over the U.S. and Canada with several international visitors in attendance.

The competitive jiingtamok features several dance specials and contests that included an armed forces sneak up, drum group dance off, women dancing grass, men dancing with fancy shawls, clown dance, generations freestyle and a youth hand drum contest.

SCIT Powwow Committee Chair Angel Jackson has seen the event grow to where now its notoriety is mentioned with other national native gatherings throughout the country.

“The Powwow Committee has been meeting all year round to bring this special gathering of tradition and culture together,” Jackson said. “We realize that it is a time where many Tribal Members get a chance to enjoy their homecoming back to the Reservation and we try to make it the best experience possible for everyone.”

“We have a great staff of volunteers and serving on the Powwow Committee is an unpaid position,” she said. “It is a lot of hard, time consuming work but in the end, it is all worth it because we do this for our people.”

SCIT Public Relations Manager Marcella Hadden and their staff work closely with the Powwow Committee on coordinating media on the Tribal website and Facebook page and she notices many positive comments throughout powwow weekend.

“We see the important work that the Powwow Committee does all year round and we know that as soon after all the volunteers take a much-needed break, they will be working on next year’s event,” Hadden said. “I still enjoy seeing all the people come back to the Rez and it’s what this time of year is all about… family, friends and frybread!”

SCIT Training Instructor John Gerhard volunteers with Central Michigan University's Friendship Family Program and brought Beijing, China guests Yumin Cui, her son John and her daughter Nancy to their first powwow.

“It was really a pleasure that we are able to join the powwow festival in our summer trip to Michigan this year,” Cui said. “Our children are very interested in North American native culture. We visited the Ziibiwing Museum in our last trip which gave us a rich understanding of the history of Native American and this powwow journey gave us vivid experiences of the time to preserve traditions, to sing to the Creator, and to dance to the heartbeat of the drum.”

Her daughter Nancy marveled at the color, sights and sounds of the annual cultural experience.

“I love the powwow and love the handmade beading necklaces and different kind of stone sold in the market,” Nancy said. “I enjoyed the wonderful music and beautiful dresses with bells on them. I want to go again next time!”

Ziibiwing Center Assistant Director and International Relations Committee member Waabanoqua (Judy Pamp) proudly introduced a student delegation of our sister city in Okaya, Japan as all the international visitors danced an intertribal song.

Kewa Native artist and cartoonist Ricardo Cate from Santo Domingo, N.M. came in to perform at Ziibiwing’s NativeFest and stayed in the community just for powwow events.

“I liked that so many people showed up for support on the Freedom Walk  because when it comes down to it, it's all about the support for the individuals going through this ordeal and that support has to come from the community, family and friends,” Cate said.   “I enjoyed meeting the people of this community and participating in this event with them. It made our connection even better.  I really enjoyed the powwow and doing a vendor booth there.  I have many good memories and stories to share with my people back home about my first visit to your Reservation.”

Always an important part of our tradition and culture, Tribal Elder Bert Hunt Sr. and Joe Quintero were asked in a good way to tend the Ishkotay (Sacred Fire) throughout powwow weekend.

“As Firekeepers, to see all the Elders, veterans, water walkers and the whole community come by and offer their prayers in a respectful way, it just gives you a good feeling about our Tribe and our people,” Hunt said. “One of the best things about the weekend was seeing all the Tribal youth ask questions about the teaching of tending a Sacred Fire and both Joe and I were encouraged by that. They are the Firekeepers of tomorrow.”

One of the truly historic moments in recent powwow history was the presentation of the newly-created SCIT eagle staff by Mide’ Elder Brian Corbiere.  The eagle staff was commissioned through the SCIT Public Relations Department and the eagle feathers were graciously gifted to the Tribe by Public Relations Director Frank Cloutier.  Cloutier asked Corbiere in a good way if he would consider creating the staff for our people and he was honored to do so.

Mide’ Elder and Head Veteran George Martin danced the staff into the arena during an honor song then presented it to Tribal Chief Steven Pego with his wife Mae standing by his side.

“An eagle staff is always given the lead position as we do our ceremonies and this special gift will be honored and remembered in the spirit of our teachings,” Chief Pego said.  “I could feel the energy that this eagle staff has and that power is now given to all the people of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan. This is a good day for all of us.”