There was hardly an empty seat in the pavilion Saturday afternoon, as hundreds packed the benches inside the Pokagon Pow Wow arena during the first grand entry to the 31st annual Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa Pow Wow.

The onlookers were greeted by what is always a spectacular sight, as many Native American dancers from throughout the U.S. and Canada entered the arena wearing the vibrant regalia like what their forefathers wore hundreds of years ago, led by a group of veterans carrying their tribes’ ceremonial eagle staffs. Accompanying their entrance were the forceful beats and entrancing vocals provided by a group of drummers, playing inside the drum arbor located in the center of the area.

The ceremony kicked off a weekend full of competitive singing and dancing that took place on the grounds of the Pokagon Band’s Rodgers Lake in Dowagiac.

For those unfamiliar with the event, the Kee-Boon-Mein-Kaa (a Potawatomi phrase referring to the end of the huckleberry harvest) Pow Wow is an annual celebration, bringing together Native Americans from throughout the continent. Described by some as something akin to a giant family reunion, the pow wow is something that is enjoyed by American Indians and non-indigenous people alike.

Held for the past nine years on the Pokagon grounds in Dowagiac, the pow wow always draws plenty of attention to the city and surrounding area. But more importantly, it showcases the culture of our area’s oldest residents.

Always open to the general public, the pow wow is a wonderful way for people unfamiliar with many Pokagon/Potawatomi customs to envelop themselves in the culture. From the regalia the dancers wear, to the music the drummers play to the different kinds of art the vendors sell outside the show arena, even a short visit will leave visitors with a wealth of knowledge and appreciation for the Pokagon Band’s rich culture.

For those that visited the pow wow this year, we hope you enjoyed yourselves. For those that have not gone before, you really should try to make it out, as you will not find anything like it, especially so close to home.

 

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