Thursday, 5/1/97
Still Dancing
UCLA’s annual pow-wow, happening this weekend on the Intramural
Field, is a cultural event, a learning experience and a way to keep
the ancient dances alive.
By Nerissa Pacio
Daily Bruin Contruibutor
Put up a few tee pees, carry some bows and arrows, set up a camp
with bon fires and a Pow-Wow is born. Well, not for the UCLA
American Indian Student Association (AISA) and others participating
in this weekend’s twelfth annual Pow-Wow on UCLA’s Intramural
Field.
"There will be no camping permitted, no weapons, and definitely
no tee pees," laughs Angie Brown, a member of the American Indian
Studies Center and this year’s Pow-Wow director.
"In fact," chuckles Robert Rhoan, the Pow-Wow’s finance
director, "even if you do bring along your own tee pee, I’m afraid
you’ll just have to take it down!"
Despite the large political issues drumming against the small
number of American Indian students on campus, organizers of the
Pow-Wow interweave a light-hearted spirit about the upcoming
cultural celebration without diminishing the importance of their
political agenda. The students even manage a few laughs about
American Indian stereotypes, but the students involved with the
Pow-Wow make it clear that tee pees and camping are not what a
Pow-Wow is about.
With this year’s theme of "Five Hundred Years and Still
Dancing," the message combines the Pow-Wow’s playful celebratory
spirit with a powerful social statement.
"It sounds cute," Brown says, "but it’s also a political message
about American Indians stating that we are still here. They haven’t
rubbed us out yet."
"Our theme signifies the efforts of American Indians to
persevere despite our oppression," says Natalie Stites, the Pow-Wow
Accommodations Coordinator. "However, the Pow-Wow is not a
sociological showcase. While we recognize community problems, we
are celebrating our culture and showing our strengths, not our
weaknesses, through this Plains Indians tradition," Stites
says.
But with the Algonquin word "Pow-Wow" meaning a political
meeting or gathering, it seems inevitable that this cultural
celebration will also surface political issues. Rhoan says current
issues about community health, alcoholism, gaming rights and
reservations will be addressed in the informational booths and
displays.
With an expected turnout of 7,000 to 15,000 people, the
year-long preparations culminate in one of the largest and most
visible functions on the UCLA campus. Along with the traditional
dancing, singing and drumming of performers from throughout the
United States and Canada, the Pow-Wow invites audience interaction
with educational booths, arts and crafts, food tasting, a dance
contest, and acts such as the "Snake Dance" which includes audience
participation.
An ethnomusicology class even put on a special American Indian
dance workshop this week on campus to encourage participation in
the Pow-Wow dances.
Although the various dances and costumes are unique to each
tribe, with the largest representative groups including the Sioux,
Navajo, Cherokee, Camanchee, and Pawnee, the unification of each
tribe’s traditions during the Pow-Wow create a Pan-Indian
event.
"The tribes are their own separate nations with existing
tensions," says Stuart Wuttke, the Pow-Wow Vendor Coordinator, "but
rivalries are put aside during this unifying celebration."
However, gathering the many tribes does not discount the tribal
differences. The goal is not to mesh the varying tribes but to
celebrate their uniqueness. For example, the origins of the "Grass
Dance" vary between tribes. Some believe it came from the stomping
of grass to signal the beginning of a ceremony while other tribes
agree that it imitates the actions of tribal warriors. Drumming
traditions also vary according to tribes. Some allow women to
participate through song, while others are strictly for men
participation.
Even the costumes are unique according to groups and even from
person to person.
"The dazzling colorful costumes not only vary between tribes,
but also amongst the individual dancers who create the decorations
themselves. The costumes have significance to each dancer," Stites
says.
Although the Pow-Wow creates intertribal unity by celebrating
the tribal differences, Stites adds that intercultural celebration
is also key.
"We want as many American Indians to join in the Pow-Wow as
possible, but we also want other cultural communities to
participate and see what we are about," Stites says.
Other key goals of the Pow-Wow include college recruitment and
the education of the campus community.
"We wanted to create a forum for American Indians to participate
in our culture and make ourselves known since very few such events
exist in L.A. and the surrounding areas," Wuttke says.
"It’s true," says Rhoan, nodding in agreement. "People should
know that their is a history to where we live. We are the history
to this land."
With costumes of colorful feathers and strings of leather,
rhythmic song and dance, and education about American Indian
culture abounding in every shape and form, a tee pee will be the
last thing to be missed.
CULTURE: The UCLA Pow-Wow will be presented by the American
Indian Student Association May 3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and May 4
from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Intramural Field. Admission is free.
For more info., call (310) 206-7513.
C. Urso
Bill Neal (Mah-na-che-a-shun) aka Elk Whistle will be a guest
flute player at this year’s pow-wow.
"Southern Thunder" will perform at UCLA’s annual pow-wow.
Abe Frajndlich
Joel Shopteese is the head judge for the pow-wow dance
competitions. Related Links:
UCLA American Indian Interdepartmental Program
Related Daily Bruin Stories:
"The Tradition Continues" 05/06/96