Last weekend, the Pokagon Band celebrated its 30th annual Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Pow Wow, and while the event was hosted in Dowagiac, people from all over Michiana — as well as the U.S. and Canada — joined in the festivities.

This event, which has grown tremendously since its inception in 1985, is something not only the Pokagon Band but all particpants should be proud of.

As adults, it is important that we teach history and culture to the younger generations, and there is no better way to teach a lesson than with hands-on, live learning.

Through the pow wow, The Pokagon Band passes on the traditions of its people to others. Members showcase beautiful handmade artwork and clothing, perform traditional tribal dances, serve authentic Native American foods and celebrate family and religion through prayer, presentations and fellowship.

The pow wow is not only an invaluable experience for the Pokagon people, but also for those outside the tribe who attend the weekend-long festivities.

Most children are taught in school about how the Native Americans lost their land and were forced westward, away from the Midwest, but plenty of people are unaware that many Pokagons still call southwest Michigan and northern Indiana home.

Though often associated with the popular Four Winds Casinos, the Pokagon people are prominent for many other reasons. The culture that has followed the Potawatomi for centuries is still alive in many Pokagon people, and a large amount of people are extremely dedicated to preserving the tribe’s heritage, as is evident with the annual pow wow.

In the last 30 years, the Pokagon Band has built tribal villages, medical facilities, police departments and, yes, casinos — all specific to the tribe. Regular celebrations, in addition to the pow wow, are offered to help the Pokagon people celebrate their culture, and to educate others about the band’s history.

We’re so glad to have the opportunity to witness this contintual dedication to preservation of history, and we’re very fortunate to watch the Pokagon Band continue to grow.

We would like to congratulate the Pokagon Band for its successes, and thank everyone involved for allowing us — and the community as a whole — to continue watching their journey.

Here’s to another 30 years of preservation and growth.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.