Head Woman Nakoosa Moreland dancing.
Bristow Square was filled with the sound of bells, drums, laughter, and singing on Saturday as the annual Pow Wow returned to Lane Community College. Some participants had been coming to the Pow Wow since the 1980s, others were celebrating for the first time. The smell of fry bread and burning herbs complemented the colorful regalia worn by dancers.
Bristow Square sits on the traditional home of the Kalapuya people. The Kalapuya lived here for 14,000 years before their lives were disrupted and destroyed. The Torch and Lane Community College acknowledge humility and reverence for the land and the people who lived here.
Veterans and flag bearers Allen Truesdale and Dean Armstrong are former students with a strong connection to LCC. Armstrong’s grandfather was in the English Department and his grandmother helped start the media department. Truesdale was sad that other events were coming back but they had to wait for the Pow Wow. He lyrically stated, “To dance is to pray, to pray is to heal, to heal is to live, to live is to dance.” He also said that more of his poems could be found in copies of the Denali from the 1970s and 1980s.
The Head Woman Nakoosa Moreland and her fiance and Head Man Nakeezaka Jack traveled from Fort Hall, Idaho to represent the dancers at the Pow Wow. They brought with them traditional necklaces and earrings to sell and wore traditional dance outfits. Jack explained that his outfit is in the Men’s Fancy Dance style. This style started in Oklahoma in the 1920s, a history of the battle that led to the regalia and dance can be found here. The regalia style is flashy and colorful and Jack’s outfit definitely fits the description. Moreland described his outfit as a giant orange and red bird.
Nakoosa and Kakeezaka joined the MC on the stage to officially begin the Grand Entry. All the dancers came on to the stage and danced to chanting over rhythmic drums. Attendees stood and clapped along as the dancers filled the stage with color and the tinkling of the bells around their ankles.
Dancer Ed Wulf stated that, “Anytime you can dance for the people it is a good day.” Other attendees said how excited and grateful they were to be back with their community after two years. Cathy and Deitrich Peters came from Lebanon and chose this Pow Wow over others because it is the one they’ve been attending for years. They were also looking forward to several more Pow Wows happening in the coming weeks around the Pacific Northwest.
The feeling of community culminated in a coming of age ceremony for a young man turning 13. He received his first eagle feather bustle and a dance contest was held in his honor. Children of all ages came out to dance in celebration.
NASA could not have asked for better weather for the day. People filled the square and the fry bread food truck had a line the whole day. Vendors selling jewelry, books, clothing, and art filled the gym and Lane County was honored with culture, joy, and hundreds of community members.
