Going Native: Great Mohican Pow-Wow

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • June 30, 2011
  • 279
                        
GOING NATIVE: Great Mohican Pow-Wow Pow-Wows are celebrations that last for days and include custom dancing, colorful ceremonial costumes, the sharing of songs, traditional food, story-telling, hoop dancing, tomahawk throwing and the coming together of Native American tribes to honor ancestors and renew their traditions and heritage. Celebrations such as this are important to the survival of the cultures that were here long before the modern inhabitants of our nation. The Great Mohican Pow-Wow has been named one of the top shows in the Americas. The Great Mohican Pow-Wow returns for its 27th year and will be hosted by the Mohican Reservation Campgrounds located at 23270 Wally Road South at Loudonville on September 16-18. “Ours is the largest event of its kind in Ohio,” said Committee Chairman, Earl Gant. A Native American of Cherokee decent, Gant has been with the event for twenty six years, the last fourteen serving as chairman. “This event allows guests to really get to know who the natives are as a people. Many misconceptions regarding the natives have flourished and spending a day or two at the Pow-Wow allows visitors an opportunity to see what a wonderful people they were. From their customs to their delicious food, it is a perfect place to spend time learning about the natives,” said Gant. Robert White eagle will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the three day-long event that begins with the customary Grand Entry led by The North American Iroquois Color Guard. All in attendance rise as various flags representing the tribes and POW’s are carried in by the veterans. The US flag is carried by Native Americans and has a meaning that is two-fold: a remembrance of all the ancestors that fought against the invasion of their land and as an honor for this is now the nation in which they live. A palette of color is woven through the celebration with a backdrop of the wooded valley and hills of the Mohican Reservation that is much like it was many generations ago when only the natives called it home. Visitors will be moved by the traditional drum beats, music and singing of twelve tribes heard throughout the land. Dance competitions throughout the day will mesmerize even the visitors that have seen it before. Douglas Blue Feather is of Cherokee heritage and is an internationally known performer of music featuring the Native American flute. He is recognized as one of the top flutists of today. He has released 14 CDs which have been heard on radio stations worldwide. You will get to hear him live and see his beautiful flutes. Writer and storyteller, Lance White Eagle will share stories and his knowledge of Native American History and Culture. Award winning hoop dancer, Daniel Tramper of Cherokee decent will perform traditional dances. Hoop dancing incorporates speed and agility as dancers maneuver their bodies through one to more than fifty hoops. Dancers also integrate creative designs and difficult manipulations of the hoops to present a unique variation of the dance. Artisans and crafts people will share their wares that will include: Pottery Bead Working Knife Making Silversmithing Antler Works Quill Working Fur Trading Silverwork Jewelry Clothes Making Wood & Bone Making Feather Working Leather Working Basket Weaving Paintings Music Tapes & CD's Demos Various demos, displays and speeches will be held continuously throughout each day at the South end of Pow-Wow Grounds by the Woodland Indian Educational Program. Admission for school age children through eighth grade on September 16 will be $1.00 with advance notification required. Students will learn about Native American culture and life-styles, fellowship and competition. Homeschoolers are welcome. Teachers and chaperones will receive 50% off the regular priced admission. Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will receive 50% off regular admission. Seniors, Veterans and college students will receive 10% off regular admission. Bus drivers receive free admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Creative Outlet, 226 W. Main St., Loudonville and Mohican Reservation, 23270 Wally Rd., Loudonville. Buy early and SAVE $1.00 off regular adult price when tickets are purchased before September 15. Pow-Wow tickets can also be purchased on line or the day of the event. Gift certificates are available. For complete information or directions, phone 1-800-766-CAMP (2267) or visit them on the Web.


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