Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to host powwow
ONAMIA - American Indian dancers in brightly colored regalia will take part in traditional dancing and drum ceremonies during the 44th annual Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe powwow scheduled Aug. 20-22. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the Band's powwow grounds located two miles north of Grand Casino Mille Lacs.
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Each dance session will begin with a grand entry. This procession into the circle begins with the presentation of colors the eagle staff, American flag, Minnesota state flag and Mille Lacs tribal government flag, followed by the powwow royalty (princesses and braves) from tribes and schools. The procession ends with a colorful dramatization of the various styles of regalia and dance.
Grand entry times are: 7 p.m. Aug. 20; 1 and 7 p.m. Aug. 21; and 1 p.m. Aug. 22.
Mille Lacs Band members took part in the band's powwow event in 2009. The band is hosting a free powwow Aug. 20-22, which is open to the public, at the Band's powwow grounds two miles north of Grand Casino Mille Lacs.
Along with the powwow, the event will include princess and brave contests; food; crafts; a horseshoe tournament; a parade; and a fun run sponsored by the Mille Lacs Indian Museum. There also will be raffle drawings for prizes. All events will take place at the powwow grounds.
Free camping, campfire wood, and showers will be available for visitors.
Powwows are American Indian celebrations of ceremonial and social dance traditions. They take place on reservations and in other locations throughout the country and include singing, dancing, drumming and more. There are contest powwows, where dancers compete against each other in style and appearance, and there are traditional powwows, where participants take part for social enjoyment. The upcoming Mille Lacs Band powwow is a traditional powwow.
Mille Lacs Band members Deze Gordon (left) and Trina Fasthorse provide a glimpse at the colorful clothing dancers wear for the powwow.
The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe has more than 4,000 enrolled members, for whom it provides a wide variety of programs and services.
For more information, contact Mary Jo Jennings at (320) 532-5944 or Freedom Porter at (320) 532-7539.
American Indian dancers in brightly colored regalia will take part in traditional dancing and drum ceremonies during the 44th annual Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe powwow on Aug. 20-22.