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Clan Of The Hawk Promotes The Native American Culture |
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Tuesday, 04 August 2009 |
Yolanda Charley from Window Rock, Arizona, visits with Ralph Swett during the annual Clan of the Hawk powwow held in Evansville last weekend. (Photo by Christopher Roy)
By CHRISTOPHER ROY
Express Staff Writer
EVANSVILLE — The Clan of The Hawk, a local Western Abenaki group, held its annual powwow over the weekend.
This year’s powwow included a spiritual week that started Wednesday, July 29. The purpose of the spiritual teachings that take place at events like this is to re-educate people on the way things had to be done on a daily basis, explained Randy Smith from Irasburg. He added that many of the Native American languages are being forgotten about by younger generations.
“The American culture has become a mixing pot of different ethnic backgrounds,” he said. “White people have pretty much erased the Native American culture and shoved them off into the back corner.”
Besides spiritual teachings, the powwow also included demonstrations and about two dozen vendors selling handmade crafts.
The clan, said Ralph Swett who is also known as Chief Lone Cloud, frowns at imports being sold at the powwow.
“This is a Native American affair and we try to promote the Native way,” he said.
Powwows, in general, have been taking place for centuries. In the north they are usually held in the summer because it’s too cold to hold them the winter. They are open to the public because Native Americans like to raise awareness of their culture.
This year the powwow was treated to a visit from Yolanda Charley from Window Rock, Arizona, who is the 2008-2009 Miss Navajo Nation.
Charley came across the country to attend the event. She wanted to teach her culture and traditions. “I am just here to educate people. That is how we were raised and taught to be. No matter where you are or where you end up, you’re still going to be Native American. It is something we’re brought up with and can never fade away.”
She blames modern technology, like television and video games, for taking some Native Americans away from their culture. Charley believes the technology, that she says was brought by white people, is making some people live with things they’re not suppose to have.
“As Native Americans, we’re in tune to our nature,” she explained. Charley said trees, grass, and the flowing waters have meaning to them. “That’s what we’re supposed to be in tune to and we worship these things for particular reasons.”
Charley isn’t allowed to say why, because that knowledge is only for Native Americans. Her message to other Native Americans is, “Take pride who you are. Learn the language and the culture. You never know what tomorrow will bring.”
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 August 2009 )
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