Inform, Entertain, Inspire
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Pokagon Band Holds Annual Pow Wow

Curtesy of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

 

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi are holding their annual Memorial Day pow wow this weekend.

People are already arriving to camp at the pow wow grounds in Dowagiac. Dancing starts Saturday.

The Oshke-Kno-Kewéwen is a traditional pow wow. That means the dancing is for fun or spiritual reasons instead of as part of a competition.

Organizer Andy Jackson said pow wows like these give native children a chance to experience the pow wow and learn through more opportunities to dance.

“They might have that regalia on but if you can’t dance for two hours it’s like torture to leave it on, so I think they should be able to dance whenever they want and have fun while you do it.”

Jackson said the pow wow feels like a family reunion.

 

This is the ninth and final year it will be called the Oshke-Kno-Kewéwen, a name that honors a symbolic eagle staff representing veterans and their families.

Next year it will be called ggaténmamen gdankobthegnanêk, which means we are honoring our ancestors or the ones we are tied to through generations.

The pow wow is open to the public. Grand entries with all dancers are Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.