2014 Akwesasne International Powwow

"Look at the beauty that is here on the beautiful St. Lawrence River. Think about how proud you feel standing here with your children showing the world that we are survivors and will endure," stated Bill Constant, (Opaskaywak Cree Nation, Northern Manitoba) master of ceremony on the opening of the second day of the Akwesasne Powwow . "Look at all of the dancers all dressed in regalia celebrating that not all was taken from us and honoring all the warriors from all wars, who felt that our people were in danger. We celebrate all victories and bring the powwow spirit into the circle."

The 14th annual Akwesasne International powwow took place over the past weekend at the A'nowara'ko:wa Arena on Kawehnoke. The opening day started out rainy but gave way to beautiful dancing weather on Sunday. The weekend was full of swirling beautiful colors of turquoise, orange, bright pinks, yellows and many other rainbow bright colors. Dancers twirled, jumped, hopped and crouched low to the ground as if waiting for an invisible enemy. The visual effect is mesmerizing and spectacular.

The Grand Entry starts out with the Staff Carriers, Honor Flags and Colors, Head Veteran, Head Dancers, local Veterans, Powwow Royalty followed by the male dancers, female dancers, junior dancers and tiny tots. A spectator from Germany was brought to tears as the dancers made their Grand Entry into the circle. "I am just so emotional seeing this. I just love the Native American culture. It's just so beautiful. I traveled from Germany to see this." People from across the United States and Canada as well as Europe traveled to the powwow to participate or to just watch.

The dancers competed in categories that included Jingle, Grass, Traditional, Fancy, and Smoke as well as hand drum. There was also a big Drum category. The competition at times heated things up as many ties needed to be broken with a tiebreaker dance off. It was not only a contest of dancer against dancer, but also dancer against drummer. The dancer needs to listen and anticipate when the drum is going to end the song and be able to stop on a dime when the music stops. To keep things interesting there were Smoke and Grass dance specials that were tournament style contests for all ages. It's friendly competition but winning some cash can be pretty sweet.

The enticing smell of fry bread, buffalo burgers and Indian tacos filled the air as many food and craft vendors were on site to provide something special for everyone. Lanette Hernandez and Melissa Burkhart traveled from California to participate in this year's powwow. "This is our first year here," stated Hernandez. "This is a very nice powwow, we have had a great time." The two women have been on the powwow circuit since March mostly on the East Coast since they are in the process of moving to Connecticut. "Dancing keeps me balanced in my busy life. It is a sense of pride for me to be able to take part in my culture and heritage. We have one more major powwow coming up in October."

The drumming and singing was very intense and electric, one can't help moving his/her feet or head to the beat. The drum beat and singing has the ability to stick with you all the way home and maybe even into the next day.

The Akwesasne Powwow has become a uniting event not only for families, friends and other native peoples but for neighboring non-native communities. It is a chance to get together with family to share culture with good food, good art, music and dance. In the words of the M.C. Bill Constant, "It is good to come together as a family and People of Nations. We can dance with children in a good place. Think of how beautiful our lives are."