A colorful tradition

10,000 attend A2 Pow Wow

Two-year-old Trevor Cypress had the opportunity to enter the dancing circle Friday night in the kickoff of the Ann Arbor Pow Wow, while 10,000 spectators looked on at Crisler Arena.

Cypress' entrance into the dance circle was his introduction into the larger Native American community. His mother, LSA sophomore Melissa Cypress, described her son's participation in the grass dance as an "early rite of passage."

Melissa Cypress said her son has had a lot of exposure to his Native American heritage, and many of her family members traveled from Florida to partake in the celebration.

The Ann Arbor Pow Wow began as a small gathering in 1972 in a library in Angell Hall.

NATHAN RUFFER/Daily A man, dressed in traditional ceremonial clothing, participates in a Native American dance ceremony during the weekend's Ann Arbor Pow Wow, which was held at Crisler Arena.

But 26 years later the event, hosted by the Native American Student Association, has become one of the most celebrated pow wows of the Native American people. Many well-known dancers, singers and artists graced the Ann Arbor scene during the course of the weekend.

The Pow Wow also included dance contests, which were broken down into six categories: traditional, fancy, grass dance, women's jingle dress and women's fancy shawl.

Music was also an integral component of the Pow Wow, with 14 different drum groups participating in the event.

Jackson resident Gary Gilmet performed an intertribal dance and said he was impressed with the number of drummers at the event.

"I am going to save the competitions for the young people," Gilmet said.

John Bailey traveled from Traverse City to co-emcee the event. Baily said he has danced numerous times at the Pow Wow.

"I was here when the Pow Wow was west of town," Baily said.

Thurman Bear, who co-emceed the Pow Wow, recalled the first Ann Arbor Pow Wow.

"We danced so hard a whole lot of books were watching us," Bear said. "I've been to about every Ann Arbor Pow Wow. I don't think I've missed one."

Bear said the Native American student organizations sponsoring the event have aimed to increase its size. Bear recalled that the Ann Arbor Pow Wow has been held at many different sites, ranging from high schools to field houses.

"It was the dream to one day bring this pow wow to Crisler Arena," Bear said.

Crisler Arena has been the site of the Ann Arbor Pow Wow for the past few years.

"The first time we came here and danced in Crisler Arena it was a realization of a dream this pow wow did grow," Bear said.

Bear said Native American youths who attend the Ann Arbor Pow Wow can aspire to be admitted to the University so they can become greater assets to the Native American community. Bear pointed out that many other colleges, including Kent State University in Ohio, are following the University's example and holding their first pow wows on campus.

Bear said the pow wow "causes people to seek out more of our history."

Provost Nancy Cantor said hosting the Ann Arbor Pow Wow fits well with last semester's environmental theme.

"It's important example of our cultural planning," Cantor said. "It's a way of coming together."

LSA senior Jodi Cook, co-chair of NASA, said she estimates 10,000 people attended the event.

Cook described her last pow wow as a University student "as a pretty emotional one."

Joe Reilly, co-chair of NASA, said planning for the pow wow began in October.

Reilly said he was "proud to carry on the pow wow tradition."

Artist Joseph Skywolf said he travels every weekend to different shows and pow wows to display his artwork.

"This is my first pow wow in the state of Michigan," Skywolf said. "I heard this was one of the best pow wows."

Skywolf said the Ann Arbor Pow Wow was more crowded than most of the ones he attends.

"A lot of excitement here," Skywolf said. "The locals look like they are more involved here."

LSA junior Adrea Korthase, a member of the Pow Wow planning committee, said a lot of time and effort has gone into the planning process, not only from members of NASA, but other student organizations.

"A lot of people have come quite a distance," Korthase said.

03-30-98