I’m just back from the Fort Hall Reservation powwow.
Powwows always make me cry.
I can’t help but feel like I’m watching caged things learn to fly again.
They stomp around out there in a glorious swirl of color, texture and flash
and I feel the mustang of my heart rear up and the bison of my soul snort…
They dance like the wind.
I sat on damp grass between drum crews.
I felt the thud, deep in my marrow…over and over again…pushing blood through my body with the power of a freight train.
When the singing started, I think I sprouted wings.
I had to cover my ears or go deaf for the glory of it all.
There were dancers from Saskatchewan,
a drummer beside me from Alberta.
There was a joke about Regina.
I felt like my home was rooted all around me.
I felt ashamed for my blond hair, I wished it raven black.
I wanted to wear something beaded and bold.
My cowboy boots were especially turquoise under the night lights.
A moth tangled itself in my hair.
Sun rise.
Moon shine.
Human flight.
Powwow.
the smiling Indian in the first photo inspired a new pinboard. really beautiful photos. 🙂
Stunning…absolutely truly in every way WOW xx
Your photography captures the energy and spirit of the moment perfectly. I adored the photograph where there are two little girls in the background just smiling with their eyes lit up!
You transported me to the New World in a moment. Thank you.
Oh my. I thought I was the only one.
I too cry when I am lucky enough to witness the drum and dance and song. My heart aches for it now. The throat singing is heart-wrenching and powerful.
There is one locally every September and I can't wait to take the kids this year.
e.
Compassion and love are not ruled by hair and skin colour but rather by the heart.It is our task to greet each moment in the most positive way possible regardless of the DNA we find surrounding us. Shanti
this posting sent chills to every fiber of my being:
i was there with you. every word. every sound. every sight.
no matter what colour of hair or skin: the spirit in you rose up with the spirit of sacredness of every native soul around you….
Oh WOW, soul sister, oh sooooo wow!
XO
so achingly beautiful. the spirit, dance, drums, song, tradition, what else could bring forth such true nature?
p.s. i'm sure they could feel your animal spirits rise up and out onto the grass with them!
You writing about caged birds learning to fly has finally put into words for me what I feel. Why the drums always make me feel about to wail .And my heart about to burst.
The mess I was at that sundance(ceremonial) I went to years ago…
If my grandmother was not so ashamed of her heritage I could proudly tell you that I was metis, but in the days of reservation schools she could pass for "white" and learned to hate her very own culture. Sad and understandable all at once, no?
Your pictures are beautiful as are your words. Thank you.
And check out that jingle dress! WOWZA!!!
I always especially love the women, dancing in quiet strength. These photos are gorgeous.
I have some amazing photos I took at the Taos Pueblo Powwow in 1994. I wish I had had a digital camera back then.
Completely understand all you say. especially the hair….
Chills, girl. So many chills.
I always cry too. I go to Curve Lake's every year and it's phenomenal. So powerful <3
Wow!
Breathtaking photos. Beautiful movement.
Totally would have loved to be there.
It's a beautiful thing to look for the Sacred… xo
i.n.c.r.e.d.i.b.l.e.
soul-moving sensation overload!
As a prairie/mountain girl living away from home your words and photos light up my soul. Thank you so much!
They are flying, in actuality….
such
luscious photos, you!
xox
LOVE these pictures, wish I could have been there, thank you for sharing.
Never be ashamed of who you are, or where you come from. :O)
This message is from our mutual friend. (She has trouble commenting on Blogger.) I was going to paraphrase but there's no need.
"You should be proud of who you are and your talents and your heritage. You work hard, are good and decent, you are not a welfare bum, you don't hate, you believe in yourself and you are not a parasite of any system. You are a survivor, you take care of yourself, you don't shirk responsibilities, you love the earth and your fellow person.
You are everything that many people cannot and will not be and it has nothing to do with your hair color!"
We love you!
I had never really hear of the true pow wow, this is amazing!!!!
I went to the Arlee Powwow in Missoula and the one here in SLC.I recognize some people in your pictures that I got to know personally. It is true. It is sad to see all those beautiful people and culture so restricted. It amazes me that they are still very united and very proud of their heritage. One thing I was taught by a woman in Arlee was that it doesn't matter where you are from, you should always take pride in your heritage, whether you are European or Native American. It was interesting. I too wanted to change who I was and become apart of their world. But she told me to never forget where I am from, because it is just as amazing as where she is from. The drum songs are amazing as well. The way they pierce to your soul is something that is not easily forgotten. Those people, their stories, their beauty, is something I think about everyday. I always long to go back.
this is so fantastically beautiful! i adore every. single. photo. <3
Pure, blissful beauty in these images … and your writing, your words, are just glorious.
I would imagine that night will always be in your heart and memory. I am so thankful that you shared it here.
I feel what you are saying. Every time I experience a pow wow, I feel tears well up on my eyes and try to hold them back, next time I will let them flow free. I have been following your blog for sometime now and I enjoy every post. Your life is an inspiration!
Your long lost 2nd or 3rd cousin??,
Natasha Solvason(Wignes)
such beautiful images!
i would love to attend a powwow when i finally make it over your way! (i live in sydney, australia)
i can feel the drum in my heart already!
bel. x
Gosh. You're all so wonderful. I'll pow wow with you any old day. xx
Wonderful photos! I love how you described the Powwow.
I`m glad I found your blog 🙂
xx
So. As a prairie girl and one who spent her early years playing in the medicine wheels and on the buffalo rubbing rock on the grounds of what is now wanuskewin (but was then a chicken and turkey farm on meewassin-owned land run by my folks and their friends), i've always felt some sort of guttural connection to all things relating to aboriginal spirituality. I describe myself as a very unreligious person, but i've always said that a powwow is the only event at which i feel i can/do have what i would call a religious experience. i feel overwhelmed by emotion, i feel wrapped up in the spirit, i feel grounded and connected to the earth and those around me. Powwows are amazing. you did the event great justice with your photos as well
love you. come home, ok?
xo
I love the pictures you took. Someday I'll be back and you can take me to the Pow Wow…again 🙂 *PS I've been wearing my weave bracelet a lot lately…