Tribal Observer Issue: August 1, 2003
Maajtaag Mnobmaabzid, “A Start of a Healthy Life”—Healthy Start Project, Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan—is a Maternal Child Health Program funded by HRSA designed to assist pregnant women and their families through pregnancy, delivery and for the following two years.
Many services are offered through Healthy Start located in Public Health at the Nimkee Clinic.
Research shows that children who breast-feed get sick less often and their illnesses are less severe. Breast-fed infants enjoy greater protection against communicable and infectious diseases, allergies, asthma and diabetes, and also have a lower incidence of sudden infant death syndrome.
The Native American Gallery, located on the Central Michigan University campus, is a place for area visitors to see firsthand many pieces of indigenous art covering many mediums.
The Naanooshke Women’s Circle will host the Jr. Miss Saginaw Ojibwe and Miss Three Fires Princess contests in conjunction with the 19th Annual Little Elk Retreat Powwow Aug. 1-3.
Kettle Point Tribal member Jason George used his creative combination of cultural and technological knowledge to design a winning powwow logo.
George, who is skilled in computer-aided drafting, extended his hand to mechanically draw the precise linear artwork that will represent the 19th Annual Little Elk’s Retreat Powwow.
Just as dancing has always maintained a special significance to Native people—whether medicinal or social, traditional or competitive—the regalia cloaking each dancer retains its own spiritual value.
The dedication and care sewn into each piece is a large reflection of the individual creating the regalia. New traditions mingle with old, telling a different story for each person.
A powwow begins with Grand Entry as dancers fill the arena in a single line to fill the Sacred Circle. Representing life, the circle symbolizes the continual flow of life and death. Like a circle, all people are connected to one another.
Seventy-two-year-old Don “Red Arrow” Stevens is one of the few black ash basket weavers passing down the knowledge and history of the traditional art.
The skill of turning black ash splints into novelty baskets has been on the back burner for nearly 30 years as the need to generate revenue through their creation has declined.
Vivaciously warm colors dance in the sunlight as 10-year-old Sarah Ballew gracefully takes to the arena with generations of spirited wisdom encircling her.
Cloaked in regalia given to her mother by Sarah’s great grandmother, Virginia Pigeon, the 25-year-old family heirloom now decorates the proud Saginaw Chippewa descendent on her youthful journey.
The annual powwow is a time for families to get together while honoring one of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe’s cultural visionaries.
It’s also an opportunity for those not connected to Indian Country in some fashion to experience various cultural traditions impacting all five senses.
I am proud to extend an invitation to attend the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan’s annual powwow from Aug. 1-3. “All My Relations” is the theme for the 19th Annual Little Elk’s Retreat Powwow at the Saginaw Chippewa Campgrounds. We are pleased to have the finest Native American dancers and drummers from across Indian Country come here.
The powwow is a time for celebrating and having families reunite on the Isabella Reservation. Over the past several years I have noticed more Tribal members coming home during the powwow, which is very encouraging to see. The success of any community lies within the strength of its families.