By Matthew Dodge,Special to the Sun Journal

LEEDS – Riverbend Campground was transformed this weekend, as a quiet riverside field became the site of the annual Spirit of the Wolf American Indian Powwow.

Hundreds gathered to witness and participate in this age-old celebration, where traditional American Indian dance and song are the main attractions. All were encouraged to participate in the intertribal dances, where a group of drummers provides a beat, as well as vocals, and anyone who cares to dance is invited to join in.

Starting off the day with a traditional Grand Entry song, all the participants, outfitted in hides and adorned with feathers and beads, danced around the sacred circle, to the beat of drummers whose voices and hands never seemed to tire.

As four groups of drummers took turns pounding out a beat, the festively garbed dancers continued with a flag dance, and finished off the opening of the powwow with a veterans song to honor all those who served their country.

The powwow is an important tradition of the American Indians, and over the past century they have made an effort to involve nonAmerican Indians in their gatherings. Organized as a place where people can meet, socialize, sing and dance, the celebrations can last anywhere from hours to days.

George “Painted Raven” Castonguay of Jay sees the powwow as a sacred and important event. “Powwows have been going on forever,” he said, and they have, but as recently as the 1960s, powwows or any large, public American Indian celebrations were banned by the U.S. government. This only leaves Castonguay filled with more pride. “It’s all about people seeking themselves and finding strength in who they are,” he said.

Rising above tents of native crafts was an authentic American Indian tepee, displayed as a piece of living history by Norman “Walks Alone” Voelkl, a historian from North Anson. Voelkl has been educating people on American Indian culture since the 1970s, and frequents the powwow circuit with his 10-person, 28-foot tepee in tow. “My goal in doing this is to educate about the past.”

Don Paul of Castle Hill, the powwow’s Spirit Bear, could be found most often dancing to the drums, adorned in his traditional bear hide, face painted to represent his animal spirit. “I’ve been dancing all my life,” he said “all the way from here to heaven, and back.”

As just one of the four drum groups present, the Walking Bear Singers had some free time to explain their passion. “We sing so they can dance, to try to keep the traditions alive,” said Mel Howarth, one of the group’s drummers. The Singers, who have been together for 17 years, perform more in the southern tradition of drumming and singing, a more melodic style interlaced with high voices.

The powwow, which continues today, also features an auction to raise money for childrens’ charities. For all its attractions and performances, it’s the pure passion of the American Indian people and their love of their culture that is the highlight of the celebration.

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