BARAGA, Mich. (WZMQ) – It’s called Maawanjiding (Mah-wha-jah-ding). It means “gathering” in the Ojibwa language, and it feels more like a family reunion than a festival.
The pow wow attracts native peoples, local residents and visitors from all across North America. This weekend saw native dancing, drumming, singing and story telling. Master of ceremonies, John Teller Jr. has been the voice of the pow wow for many years.
“In many ways, it’s a homecoming for the Ojibwe people, The Anishinaabe people of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. It’s always a fantastic event. We see anywhere upwards of 1,500 people per day,” said Teller.
For longtime pow wow participant, dancer and US Army veteran, Steven Naganashe, the pow wow is a time to learn about native culture.
“Once they come to a pow wow or something like this, you know they get to understand more, the emcee does a great job of explaining things. So I think it’s really important that it’s a learning experience for the people that are here that aren’t native,” said Naganashe.
The pow wow ran all weekend long at the Ojibwa Recreation Area and Campground in Baraga.
