The Standard

Issue date: 11/27/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Bazil Manietta

The Pan-American Powwow at McDonald Arena on Saturday drew a modest crowd with numerous American Indian dances and cultural displays.

Onlookers watched as dancers performed different customary dances to the beat of a tribal drum while dressed in tribal costumes.

The drummers and singers, Bad Medicine, are Kiowa Indians from Oklahoma.

Throughout the course of the weekend, the crowds never got above 50 and tapered off by Sunday.

Along the outside of the arena many vendors sold hand-made items and T-shirts to attendees.

James Smith, a professor of history at Missouri State, participated in the powwow and represented the Yakima tribe from Washington State.

"Generally the powwow went really well. I was disappointed by the lack of a bigger crowd and we also didn't get the other drummers and singers like we wanted to," Smith said. "The best thing about it was that we made a lot of connections for future powwows and showed the local people that we (Natives Americans) are still around."

Between eight and 10 tribes were represented in the powwow, according to Smith.

"A lot of Southern tribes were here like the Kiowa, Comanche, Cheyenne, Osage, Wyandotte and even a member of my tribe, Yakima, was here too," Smith said.

The powwow was a cultural experience, bringing the customs of the Native Americans to those who may have never experienced it.

Jonathan Mulligan, a senior majoring in sociology and anthropology, was in attendance and shared his overall depiction of the powwow, "It's really cool. it's really big of our school to put these types of things on."

"It's the cultural material that we need to see. Usually to get to a powwow you have to drive a long way away, but this is very cool that they brought this here."

The drum beat and chant-like songs could be heard throughout the arena and provided a nice atmosphere to those in attendance.

Mulligan said, "I really liked the drums and everything is great. It was very interesting to hear the singing and the deep drum beat."

Smith who participated in a Traditional dance contest on Sunday walked away with first place. His Northern Traditional outfit consisted of feathers, bells, leather, and beads.

"We had a lot more dancers last year, but this year was still fun," Smith said.

Francis Kelly, a member of the hosting Osage tribe, shared his view on the overall image of the powwow. "The powwow is very nice and good.," Kelly said. "A little small though but still good. Since it is Pan-American a lot of different tribes are here."

Throughout Indian society Kelly told of the, "two keywords, honor and respect." These keywords were upheld with many of the tribes giving gifts and honoring those fallen.

Smith said that the, "American Indian Student Association along with Dr. Bill Meadows helped put it on and showed the people around Springfield that we are still here."

Smith continued, "That's one of the things the powwow does, it helps increase awareness and bring the culture to the people."

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