BARAGA, Mich. (WZMQ) – They come from across the Midwest, from dozens of woodland tribes to dance, to sing, to eat, and, most importantly, to just be together.
“This is our summer gathering, the time when we gather at our annual summer powwow, our 47th annual this year, getting close to our 50th annual,” said Powwow Chair Christine Awonohopay.
The setting is awe-inspiring. In the tall trees of the Ojibwe Recreation Area in Baraga. The dancers all enter the ceremonial ring at the same time, dancing to the melodic rhythm of the drummers and the plaintive voices of the singers.
“So one of our bigger events of the year, one of the biggest, probably, I would say that’s probably the biggest powwow in the state of Michigan as it is,” said Awonohopay.
The first thing you notice is the beautiful regalia that dancers are wearing, not just clothing per se, but an extension of their spirit.
“Our regalia is built off of us, our spirits, our you know, our names, our colors, whatever you know we are. What makes us feel good,” said Christine Awonohopay.
And what would a celebration be without food?
“Our food vendors are serving a lot of our traditional foods. Our wild rice, our soups, our fry bread, that’s what a lot of people come here for,” said Awonohopay.
If this powwow had a theme, it would be inclusion. Everyone, from all walks of life, is always welcome.
