Pow Wow Sharings

Kaw Nation Pow Wow Story by Annlee Cakes Native American Regalia and Crafts

A sharing by Annlee Cakes of Arkansas City, Kansas

The Kaw Nation Native American Indian Pow Wow held every August is an event we attend as a vender of Native American Jewelry, Crafts and Regalia.

Annlee Cakes Native American Regalia and Crafts of Arkansas City, Kansas

A wonderful story shared!

Last year at the Kaw Nation Pow Wow a security officer dropped around the booth and asked me if I could craft a Special hat band for his hat. Of course I said yes.

He shared with me the colors he desired in the seed bead band. I asked about what pattern he desired? The response was simply: You decide

When would you like the band by I asked. Bring it with you next year he replied.

????

Over the Winter I kept thinking about the hat band. No pattern seemed to fit?

Then in January I had a vision. A pattern I saw! A story attached!

We arrived at the Kaw Nation Pow Wow early afternoon Friday and started setting up the booth. A few security officers dropped by and we asked about our special officer if he was around. Gleefully, we put out an APB capture request with all the LEO. And, they were having some fun with this also.

About an hour later our friend officer arrived at the booth laughing and talking about the APB from his fellow Officers. I showed him the crafted hat band, but did not tell him about the Vision or the Story at this time. He liked the band, and said he would bring his hat to the booth the next day.

Saturday arrived hot and humid! So did the security officer with a beautiful black Stetson in hand. He left it with me, and I was going to permanently attach this band to the hat because he lost his last one that was simply tied to the hat.

I finished the hat, and Bob groomed and cleaned the jet black Stetson until it shined as new as from the rack from where it came.

A bit later the officer arrived with others, and picked up the hat. Asked what do I owe you? My reply: I was honored to create this for you, and tradition tells me it is up to you to decide? For this was Native to Native! He stood silent and impressive in his shiny uniform and very tall and broad in his stance. I told him about how difficult the choice of pattern for the band, and that in January a gift of Vision arrived. I explained the entire pattern and the meaning of each symbol and how it spoke. He and others listened!

Away he drove off in the security golf cart with another Officer and stating he would be back. After that as the day passed onward he drove by a few times with not a word said. He stopped once and asked if we liked gator aid, and dropped off some. Not a word was exchanged about the band.

Later that night, long after the sun had set. My eye caught him walking over to me as I was sitting in a chair. Half kneeled down, fist clinching an item: He said, I do not wish to offend you! I am not sure what to do? I said, You shall not offend: But, do as your heart speaks!!

He pushed the item in his hand into mine. Kissed my cheek, said Thank you! I will treasure this for the rest of my life and then he cried. I also then cried.

To my Native Brother I say: Mugwa!

This exchange is what being a Native American Traditionalist is all about. Even a man well into his 40s had a new birth and an experience never known before. A growth and power he now has for sharing in all time to arrive as He walks his walk with Creator.

I share this story for one reason and one reason ONLY.

To know the Culture is to Share the Culture!

Much had happened in his life during the past year: And, that only he can share or discuss as he feels to do with others. As a Medicine Woman the seed of a Vision Gift had been passed, explained and shared.

I hope you enjoyed this true story, and maybe understand a tid-bit more about Our Heritage and the true meaning of Native Culture.

Thank you, Trulee WHA-O-CHA-NI-STANDING

Tradition explains to us that Clans, Tribes and Nations did War against each other: Thus the War Parties!

Pow Wows were the Native American people's way of meeting together, to join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships and to make new ones between the Clans, Tribes and Nations. At a Pow Wow no weapons of War were allowed save for the knife. Warriors were not allowed to fight in physical combat so they were used to heal old wounds between Warriors.

The Warriors Dance arrived as a challenge back and forth as a mocking war between all in the Circle ( a taunting ). This Tradition is Still with us Today: On many reservations the Warriors Dance is private to registered members of the Tribe and Special people they invite. NO CAMERAS are allowed for the Warriors Dance, and this must be respected by all attending.

A Pow Wow is a time to renew thought of the old ways and to preserve a rich heritage. It is a sharing of stories, items exchanged and the feeding of all attending from the hunt and prosperity of the Tribe holding the Pow Wow. Friend or foe all were always fed! Fires were lit and dotted the night skies! Stories were told and sharing of good hunts.

FIRE RINGS OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS.....Story

In the start of time upon this world there existed no fire. Cold penetrated to the bones of the animal people.

And the animal people were often cold on many days. Only the Thunders, who lived in the world beyond the sky arch, had fire. At last they sent Lightning down to an island.

Lightning put fire into the bottom of a great known hollow sycamore tree.

The animal people knew that the fire was there, because they could see smoke rising from the top of the tree. But they could not get to it on account of the water. So they held a grand council to decide what to do.

All those that could fly or could swim were very eager to go after the fire. Raven said, "Let me go. I am large and strong."

At that time Raven was white. He flew high and far across the water and reached the top of the sycamore tree. While he sat there wondering what to do, the heat scorched all his feathers black. The frightened Raven flew home without the fire, and his feathers have been black ever since. Then the council sent Screech Owl. He flew to the island. But while he was looking down into the hollow tree, a blast of hot air came up and nearly burned out his eyes. He flew home and to this day, Screech Owl's eyes are red.

Then Hooting Owl and Homed Owl were sent to the island together. But the smoke nearly blinded them, and the ashes carried up by the wind made white rings about their eyes. They had to come home, and were never able to get rid of the white rings.

Then Little Snake swam across to the island, crawled through the grass to the tree, and entered it through a small hole at the bottom. But the smoke and the heat were too much for him, too. He escaped alive, but his body had been scorched black. And it was so twisted that he doubled on his track as if always trying to escape from a small space.

Big Snake, the climber, offered to go for fire, but he fell into the burning stump and became as black as Little Snake. He has been the great blacksnake ever since.

At last Water Spider said that she would go. Water Spider has black downy hair and red stripes on her body. She could ran on top of water and she could dive to the bottom. She would have no trouble in getting to the island.

"But you are so little, how will you carry enough fire?" the council asked.

"I'll manage all right," answered Water Spider. "I can spin a web." so she spun a thread from her body and wove it into a little bowl and fastened the little bowl on her back. Then she crossed over to the island and through the grass. She put one little coal of fire into her bowl and brought it across to the people.

Every since, we have had fire. And the Water Spider still has her little bowl on her back. And make the fires anew in the honor with 7 woods of the Creator. Fire Rings are ceremonial to send sweet essence to Creator from the things of Mother Earth.

It is a gathering of rising of smoke and the sending of thoughts and prayers to the Great Spirit (oitchi manido ) The fire base is started: As the ceremony begins: A medicine man or woman adds 7 woods unto the fire and special gifts of the Earth like tobacco, sweet grass, acorns, pinecones, sage and flower pedals, and even seeds. First the offering is held to each of the Winds of the Earth and then placed into the fire. The Fire Ring is now blessed and the people can send their personal gifts to ( Mide manido ) Grand Medicine spirit through the fire, and even the evils of the world they no longer desire to bare as they walk. Healings and the gathering and sharing of the miracle of the smoke also are shared: The Fire Ring is a cleansing to the family and that is why family groups hold them also on a regular basis and are started by the families elder who add the 7 woods, and the special gifts to the Great Medicine Spirit. Greater Fire Rings held by Medicine Men are for all who desire to participate. It is a Ceremony! Many are also personally invited by the Medicine Man who asks of each one a special secret gift for the Fire Ring from each one invited that they must bring from Mother Earth to honor all their forefathers, and to make the Fire Ring personal upon their family so their thoughts and prayers arise in the smoke. Sadly, many have forgotten the tradition and Spiritual meaning and need of gwav-ah-ko mi-kA-nA>h and the Fire Ring for their self and their families. But, this also is now changing as Traditions return upon the People. As the Miracles are renewed and eyes open and ears once more hear the feet of the deer among the dried leaves. It is changing as One Blood once more holds the truth near.

So says: Wha-O Chee Medicine Man of the Bear Clan

Mugwa and Witsatdogi to all my readers.

That is to say Hello and Many Blessings!!

We just returned from the Fall Encampment of the Ioway Tribe at the Baxoje Pow Wow Grounds near White Cloud, Kansas. It was such a Wonderful Blessing as we pulled in to the grounds. Just to know we will be seeing Family and Friends and the enjoy the Spirits of the Elders as we gather together. This year the Ioway Tribe made an addition to the grounds, a New Community Activity Building. With a promise of more improvements in the coming years.

After we set up the booth and our camp we watched as one by one as arrived, fellow vendors and friends. First to arrive was Jackson. A good natured Man who enjoys life and spreads cheer to everyone he talks to. He is always a good source to go to for a spare bead, a needle or any aid when needed.

Then a surprise occurred. Our Friends that we met last year arrived. They were at the Teaching Drum in front of our booth last year and they said that they would not make it back this year: Lo and behold! There they were! Tony and Tracy, all the way from Alabama!! I was so excited! They camped near by and that just made it a double Blessing.

My sister and her boyfriend came with us this year. It was her first full Pow wow that she has ever attended. She was able to see the Regalia and the friendship of all that camped and shared Traditions.

The biggest Blessing was yet to come. I have always worn my regalia on the Saturday. I was asked to register and dance in the Grand Entrees. Such an Honor by request was unexpected and a great blessing.

The fried bread was delicious and as remembered how Grandmothers made it. I had a few!

I was also gifted with a new wing to make another Dance Fan and this was a very personal gift from a Warrior.

As the Pow Wow wound down we watched as everyone left, with well wishes and lots of hugs. Knowing that next year we will see them again.

Would have been nice if you all could have been there to.

Blessings.............Annlee

UPDATE: 2011 Fall Encampment

Was a great gathering except it rained the entire time. Our booth was in trouble from wind and rain? Until many warriors and others aiding a hand and from that was created a true Native American "Put together" of ropes, tarps, tents, canopies and anything they could find to add. It was so exciting and heartwarming that I am truly at a loose of words to describe this event happening.

Except, to say to all our brothers and sisters at White Cloud Pow Wow---------We "NOD" our head to you!

A sharing by Annlee:

We had an interesting story for our crafts booth this year at Standing Bear Pow Wow.

We have been vending there for years-But, we did change our registered name. This change caused them to move us off the regulars listing for venders to unlisted. We thought we had a booth space only to discover we did not and the waiting list was very long they informed us. After discussions with the Board Members the day before the Pow Wow: We were asked to send pictures of our booth: Instead we sent a video of our crafts! Bingo! We had our vending space once more under the new name change. They are very warm hearted and caring to all in every respect, and we are so glad The Board allowed us the privilage of setting up Annlee Cakes Native American Regalia and Crafts vending booth.

The Pow Wow had as we saw it around 2000 plus attending Friday Night, and about 1500 plus on Saturday. The food was delicious and the fellowship fantastic.

I did have a great blessing occur!
My granddaughter and my eldest daughter both joined me in the Dance Circle for the very First Time. Their first time in the Circle and that was my great blessing. While this blessing was fantastic? I had another! My sister Melodie entered the Circle for the her very First Time and we danced to the Drum in Joy!

If you can attend next year this event is worth the trip! You will find staff and dancers friendly, open and concerned enough to take special time to answer any questions you may have about the Pow Wow or Native American Traditions.

Mugwa...........Annlee