To acknowledge the heritage of Native Americans and traditional Pow Wows, the Spokane Convention Center holds a community event for all. This celebration is an opportunity for everyone to immerse themselves in this vibrant culture.

A Pow Wow is a vital cultural event for Native Communities. This Pow Wow provided educational opportunities for both Native and Non-Native attendees. Promoting greater understanding and spreading the awareness of their story-telling, dancing, music, and art.

The SFCC Red Nations Student Association along with many others helped sponsor this event. Speaking with one of the advisors of Red Nation, Darlene Rickett.

“A pow wow is a way to get together and have that community with each other which is of course very important to the culture, but the other is it’s preserving the way of doing things and at the same time, they’ve inserted modern things to that too. I think that they would be very clear to know they celebrate and acknowledge their power of the past and their powers of the present, that is kind of magical,” said Rickett.

What is more distinctive about the Pow Wows is the attire of wearing a regalia. For many Native Americans wearing these represent cultural expression and their identity. When sitting on the sidelines during a dance witnessing different types of these beautiful regalias that are worn is something memorable. The craftsmanship and effort put into each regalia is breathtaking. 

After speaking with a member of the Blood Tribe located in Alberta, Canada, I learned that materials like fabric, shells, and cones can be incorporated into regalia. They explained that you can find these supplies at a trading post or at Pow Wows, where there are stands selling them. This particular Pow Wow had numerous stands filled with handmade jewelry and patchwork for sale. 

Marquis Leighton, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe located in Lapwai, Idaho, discussed the process of making regalia. Wearing the regalia he and his father made, he explained how time-consuming it can be and the skill required to use a sewing machine.

“We use different types of pelts, furs, and then hooves from buffalo, moose, elk, porcupine hair, and eagle feathers,” said Leighton. 

It is through traditions such as regalia, music, and dance that Native Americans preserve their ancestral background and beliefs. 

Khalil Islam-Zwart, the other advisor for Red Nation, shares his ideas on Pow Wow dancing and Native culture. 

“When you saw the inter tribal dances for example you saw people from all groups didn’t matter whether native, non-native, old, young. There’s the transmission of culture even though culture continues to evolve. So, on one hand, you see these amazing regalia that take so much time, effort, and energy to make, and then you might see a cell phone pocket on it. That’s how you know our culture continues to change, culture changes, it doesn’t stay stagnant, but we can take our time to come together to celebrate family, celebrate culture, celebrate tradition, and continue to recognize the elders to recognize and bring the youth into the whole of culture.  Dean Salinas said yesterday something that has stuck with me yesterday and today, “If you ever are worried about the fate of humanity just watch either an inner tribal or a tiny tot dance,” said Islam-Zwart.

Islam Zwart offers credibility to the innovation that has been evolved through generations of regalia. Allowing us to take the time to respect and cherish Native Americans. 

“You see these tiny kids who are doing it right. Why are they doing it? Because their elders put time, effort and energy into them to preserve and retain the most important parts of indigenous culture.”

Washington Tribes:

What to expect to see at a PowWow?

-Activities you will see at a PowWow include things like music, dancing, singing, regalia attire, and tipis.

What is PowWow music?

-Most PowWow music is primarily vocal, uses a pentatonic scale, and it’s accompanied by frame drums.

When did PowWows begin?

-Most experts agree that the modern day PowWow had its origin in a religous ceremony of the Pawnee sometime before the mid-nineteenth century.