Pow wow events begin this week
PIPESTONE — The Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers have a number of goals, which include archiving the histories, stories and styles of the pipes and their uses by Native Americans, and sharing that information with the world.
- Pow Wow
PIPESTONE — The Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers have a number of goals, which include archiving the histories, stories and styles of the pipes and their uses by Native Americans, and sharing that information with the world. What better setting to do so than at the annual Keepers Gathering and Pow Wow.
The schedule of this year’s events has been slightly shifted, according to Keepers president Bud Johnston.
“We’re doing the traditional cook-off on Friday at 4:30 p.m.,” Johnston stated. “We used to do it on Sunday, but then everyone was getting ready to head for home.”
The cook-off is open to anyone, but the entry has to contain at least one traditional Native American ingredient, such as buffalo, venison, corn or wild rice. Anyone who doesn’t want to cook can be one of the tasters instead.
“People can come and sample the stuff, and they vote by putting money in that cook’s jar,” Johnston said. “The contest is won by the cook who has the most money in his jar.”
A wonderful variety of foods show up each year at the cook-off, Johnston, said, including corn or bean soup, and wild rice, buffalo or venison stew.
“You never can tell what’s going to make an appearance,” Johnston joked.
The trading/craft circle starts at noon Thursday at the Pow Wow grounds at 400 North Hiawatha Ave.
“There’s lots of different tribal arts and crafts — some pretty fancy — and typical craft work, bead work and pipestone carvings,” Johnston said.
The Connecting the Circle concert begins at 7 p.m. Friday night, and on Saturday, Pow Wow grand entry is at 1 and 5 p.m.
All dancers and drummers all welcome. Audience members are encouraged to bring folding chairs, as the bleachers fill up fast.
There’s also a grand entry at 1 p.m. Sunday.
“(Grand entry) is when most of the dancers come dancing in,” Johnston. “There are lots of fancy outfits and flashy moves and colorful costumes.”
Between grand entries, there is plenty of exhibition dancing in many different styles.
“You used to be able to tell what area or tribe a dancer was from just by looking at their outfit,” Johnston said, adding that with the newer outfits, tribal lines and areas aren’t quite as defined by clothing.”
There will also be hand-crafted items and a variety of food vendors, including buffalo burgers, Indian tacos and mini donuts.
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