By Judith Forrest
Special to the Observer

On Friday, April 18 the 43rd Annual Haliwa-Saponi three day Powwow began. The theme was ‘Honoring Those Who Serve Our Community.’ According to Tribal Administrator Archie Lynch there were representatives from about 50 tribes. People from all around the US and Canada gathered for the largest Powwow in North Carolina. The Hollister Powwow is always held on the third weekend in April.

Master of Ceremonies Sandon Jacobs invited all to stand for the Grand Entry.

Tribal members proudly carried the United States, North Carolina and Tribal flags in the traditional Flag Ceremony. Following the flag bearers during for the grand entry ceremony were brightly clad members of all ages from the various tribes. The Reverend Linwood Richardson gave the invocation. This series of events was the same each day.

When the flags were retired veterans, past and present, were invited to the circle to be honored.

Traditionally a huge bonfire is lighted on Friday evening at the Powwow. The beat of the drums and the leaping flames created an awesome background, as dancers whirled around the circle displaying their talent and finery for the crowds.

Tribal Chief Ron Richardson, Head Judge Wakoda Richardson, Head Dancers Patrick Richardson and Consuela Richardson as well as Junior Head Dancers Jonah Richardson and Stephanie Richardson were introduced. Tribal Youth Ambassadors came to the platform and introduced themselves. Tribal Princess Stephanie Richardson, Miss Haliwa-Saponi for 2007-2008, spoke of what she hoped to accomplish during her reign. Stephanie is the 18 year old daughter of Johnnie Ray and Cheryl Richardson.

 “It’s Powwow time in downtown Hollister,” said Jacobs. He explained that host and visiting drums would take up the beat in rotation throughout the Powwow. Host drums were Stoney Creek and Southern Sun. Some of the visiting drums were Red Earth, Red Oak, Southern Eagle, Black Bear and Katano Juniors. Friday night’s dancing was for exhibition only. On Saturday and Sunday a round of dancers from each category competed for recognition and various prizes.

Howard Richardson, Haliwa-Saponi vice Chief said approximately 10,000 people attended the Powwow over the weekend. American Indian crafts and wares, as well as food and drink were all there for the throngs.

Patricia Sutton of the Wampanoag Tribe came from Massachusetts. She was selling authentic Native American leather jackets and other items. Local artisans, Brian and Trina Lynch are owners of Bol’s Jewelry. They design and handcraft contemporary and traditional jewelry. Other vendors came to sell items such as rugs, blankets and many other things.

One individual that has seen many Powwows is Belle McGee Frye. Belle was born in 1929, in her own words, “at the foot of Medoc Mountain.” She moved to Littleton when she was three, and told of walking over three miles to school. Belle says that she spends her time assisting people with finding resources to provide for family and community needs. She says that her poetry is the voice of her heart’s expressions for her people and her nation. Belle was beautifully dressed in buckskin, carrying a pouch of tobacco. She explained that tobacco was used for friendship and in ceremonies by Native Americans.

Belle marched in all the Grand Entries, and danced in a special senior category. Below is a poem from Belle’s book of poetry All About Us.

A PLACE FOR ME TO BE

 A place for me to be alone
And live in yesterday
To travel up and down my past
And never have to stay

A place for footprints in a path
That doesn’t wear a shoe
An old tin-tub for a bath
And mornings fresh with dew

A place to lay and watch the clouds
Creating animals in the sky
And stand among the cheering crowds
For soldiers passing by

A place where I can be with me
Away from all the scorn
With things that only I can see
Some old, some new, some torn

The Powwow is the biggest event of the year for the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe. Many months of preparation and work on dance rituals and costumes are apparent. Over the years special Haliwa-Saponi dances have been designed. One of these, the Canoe Dance, is an intricate dance where timing is very important.

Some dances were adapted from other tribes such as the Cherokees. Arnold Richardson founded the first Drum group in the Haliwa-Saponi community. He discovered a number of Saponi words and used them in song, starting a tradition that has continued to the present. Drummers chant the songs as they play.

The Haliwa-Saponi are descended from the Saponi, Nansemond, Tuscarora and other tribes from this area. There are approximately 3,800 enrolled tribal members. Most members of the tribe live in Halifax, Warren, Nash and Franklin counties. They maintain strong cultural, traditional and community ties. Education remains a priority. Hollister boasts a Charter public school. The curriculum is based on the NC standard course of study, with small classrooms, modern technology, and Native American studies.

North Carolina formally recognized the tribe in 1965, and they were incorporated in 1972.  Saponi became part of the tribal name in 1979.

Federal recognition through the Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Branch of Acknowledgement and Research (BAR) remains a top priority of the tribe.

The tribe submitted a formal petition in 1989 and is currently seeking and compiling additional information in order to respond to the BAR’s Letter of Obvious Deficiencies (LOD).

The research project is funded through the Administration for Native Americans and is ongoing. The tribe continues to perform research, update files, and monitor the federal acknowledgement process.

Anther goal is to establish a Native American Cultural Center on land which the tribe owns near an exit to I-95. Native American tribes would be invited to participate in building villages and displays showing their unique tribal history and customs.

One purpose of this Center would be to promote understanding of the history, culture and traditions of Native Americans from around the country. Methods of funding this goal, including grants and donations, are being pursued.