43rd Powwow a time for renewal, thanksgiving, sharing and a homecoming

By Maurice Emery
Editor

A small area of Warren County on the border of Halifax County provided the ground for one of the biggest Indian celebrations in the country for the 43rd time this past weekend. Haliwa-Saponi Tribal Administer, Archie Lynch describes the event “as a time for renewal, a time of thanksgiving, a time of home-coming and most all a time of sharing.”  

Throughout the evening they recognized everyone in one way or another, but they always came back to the main theme of the event – “Honoring those who serve their community. “  They were honoring people who serve in the fire departments, local county and state law enforcement, EMS personal, service men and women as well as veterans.  

This year the tribe had a special reason to honor those who serve.  It was on their land in this area of North Carolina that they endured the largest forest fire in years.  It was on a Sunday, February 10 that over 3,200 acres in the tribal land area was burned.  The home fire department fighting the fire was the Arcola Rural Volunteer Fire Department.  Before the five day fired was completely put out every fire department in Halifax County and many in Warren County were involved in fighting.  

The three day festivities started on Friday night when the gates opened at 4 p.m. They continued on through Sunday evening.  During each day of the festivities they held Grand Entry Ceremonies.

The Friday opening Grand Entry was just a warm-up for what was too come on Saturday and Sunday.  As the dancers for the ceremonies were forming the sounds of the drums and chants from various drum groups filled the air.  With names like Southern Drums, Stoney Creek, Red Earth and Red Oak they kept the evening alive with their sounds.   Serving as Northern Host drum was the Stoney Creek Singers, based in the Haliwa-Saponi Community, and the Southern Host Drum was Southern Sun Singers of Pembroke, NC.

 The excitement of the powwow continued to grow and to fill the air.  Families gathered some dressed in their hand made regalia others in street clothes.  Everyone seemed to have the same goal to share and enjoy the evening.  They all showed respect and admiration for one another.

Early on in the evening Josh Guerreor from the tribe served as my information guide.  He was quick to let me know, in kind but forceful way that the outfits they wore were not called costumes they were called regalia.   You could see the pride he had in saying it.

When asked if took our and hours to make the regalia Josh commented that it took months and months and for some a year or more.  “It took me a year to make mine,” he commented. You couldn’t help but appreciate the craftsmanship it took to make even the simplest of the regalia.

The bleachers filled early and there was standing room only when the MC started the program.

As the drums kept playing in the background the master of ceremonies Sandon Jacobs greeted the tribe members guest and visitors with, “I would to take this opportunity to welcome everybody in the house tonight to the east side or Essex, in other words downtown Hollister.”

The grand entry was led by the color guard.  Carrying the American Flag was Justin Hedgepeth. As the color guard made their way around the track hundreds of dancers followed them in a colorful and memorable ceremony.  They Haliwa-Saponi dancers and singers were joined by members of the Meherrin, Lumbee, Waccamaw-Siouan, Coharie, Ojibwa, Tuscarora, Piscataway, Chickahominy, Rappahannock, Cherokee, Sioux, Iroquois, Navajo, and other tribes. 

It was impossible not to notice the dedication, respect and admiration the various members had for everyone. When they talked about the special tent set up for the senior’s citizens the MC reminded everyone to not block their view.

When he talked about the Arcola firefighters and everyone who helped during the February fire it was with respect.  When Jacobs announced the retiring of the colors he invited all the veterans and relatives of veterans to come down and march so everyone could show their appreciation.  At first only a few people made their way down to the center of the compound.  One by one as he persisted to call out for them more and more people made their way down.

You could see this same respect that they paid to one another and their own families.  Whether it was helping one another out with their regalia or making sure each child that wanted to participate in the dancing had the opportunity to do so.  It was impressive to see even the men comment on the craftsmanship of one another’s regalia or moccasins.

For a newcomer this is one event that is worth the time and effort to see and hear. You can go to see the bright colored regalia, the dancing, listen to the drums or just watch people interact.  It is all there in one event every April.