.Thursday,. March'S~ 1995

The Michigan Da nly Weekend etc.

The Mchiga Daiy - W eken etc. Thursay, archM.199
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THE

ANCE

FOR

OTHER

EARTH

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0

ABOVE: Charles Belisle rises as mark of respect during the women's traditional dance. "Women are the backbone of our culture.
They give us our strength and provide us with support," said master of'ceremonies Eddie Benton as he asked all of the men to
stand.

This past weekend, March 24, 1995
marked the 23rd annual Dance for
Mother Earth Powwow, organized by
NASA (Native American Student
Association.) One of the largest in
North America, this year's Powwow,
held at Crisler Arena attracted
approximately 10,000 people over the
course of the weekend. Men, women,
and children traveled from all over the
United States and Canada to celebrate
the Native American traditional
Powwow.
The Powwow evolved from grass
dances, as a way for Native Americans
to preserve their heritage while in
reservations. The modem Powwow
revolves around the common Native
American values of honor, respect, and
generosity.

LEFT: The sacred
drum invokes a
rhythm that
conveys a vision of
peace and
harmony to all
tribes. The drum is
always suspended
from the ground.
If It touches the
ground it is never
to be used again.
Songs, sung in
vocables, convey -
emotions common
to all tribes as
each tribe has Its
own language.

01

*I

BELOW: Ken Funmaker of The
Wisconsin Dells helps his son Kyle,
8, put on his headpiece before he
competes in the Junior division of
the men's traditional dance.

- tnfe promise or our

I