Two young girls in shawl dresses danced to the drums and songs that filled the gymnasium at the Grand Portage Community Center during the Honor our Elders Powwow held on Saturday, May 7.
The Grand Portage Community Center was a happy, busy place on Saturday, May 7 as the 24th annual Honor Our Elders Powwow celebration was held.
While dancers and guests filled the gym, a whole host of volunteers served meals and sold gift items or worked the front desk and raffle table just outside in the hallway and in a room next to the gym.
Jim Mishquart was an engaging, often funny emcee, Kalvin Ottertail was the Spiritual Advisor, and the Host Drum was Stone Bridge Singers of Grand Portage.
“Kalvin is from Lac La Croix,” said Dana Logan, one of the event organizers. “He used to teach language here in the school and he started the Stone Bridge Singers. Jim is from Rocky Bay, Ontario.”
All told there were 11 drums and 110 dancers in full regalia participating in the celebration that ran from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“We fed 240 people at the dinner,” said Logan. Elders were served first by the Grand Portage Royalty, which included Junior Brave Hunter Childs, Junior Princess Alexis Denny, and Senior Princess Samantha Scalaise.
Above: Jaye Clearwater of Grand Portage dances the circle in her intricate regalia. Left: This man’s regalia includes elements with deep personal meaning. Many items such as eagle feathers and animal hides are handed down through generations and are considered sacred.
Dancers and powwow guests were served next and had a choice of ham, fish cakes, fried bread, fruit, wild rice, and Dilly Bars that were donated once again by Grand Marais Dairy Queen owners Rob and Tammy Hackett.
The elders’ celebration is held to honor the volunteer work that the elders do each year for the community. At the ceremony elders received cushion stadium seats they can use at ball games or at powwow events or anywhere they please. to run ONE TIME, the
Logan said attendance was up this year from last year, but maybe not as big as in the past. She added that there are two other larger powwows that are held on the same day that draw big crowds. All in all, though, she said it was a great day, tribute to the elders that, judging from the smiles on the faces of those in attendance, seemed to be appreciated by all.
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