Hoop Dancer Buffalo Child at Gathering of the People Powwow

Buffalo Child, featured in over 100 movies, films, and TV shows, displays his hoop dance skills August 2 & 3, 2005 in Cataract, Indiana. (Photo by Aliyah Keuthan)

CATERACT, Ind. – The Gathering of the People Powwow celebrated more than 3 decades in Vigo County Indiana before the organizer made her final journey. Afterward the family took a break, bringing the powwow back last year, this time to Owen County Indiana, the original home of the Miami nation. In the first year of the returning event it was held at the Owen County Fairgrounds. Buffalo child had just had knee surgery but bravely decided to honor a recently deceased friend by doing the hoop dance and shared emcee duties alongside LeRoy Malaterre and others. This year Buffalo Child returned, healed from surgery, to demonstrate his hoop skills once again and explain the origins of hoop dancing. LeRoy Malaterre, long time Emcee at the far-famed Tipton, Indiana powwow, returned as Arena Director to Co-emcee with Buffalo Child, assisted by male traditional dancer, Chuck Sallee, during the opening ceremonies on Saturday.

Many tribes and regions of the country were represented at this 2nd annual summer Gathering on August 2 and 3. There were two grand entries on Saturday and one on Sunday. The festivities included honor songs for our veterans led by head veteran Mike Dunn. One Vietnam era veteran said that this was her first powwow. She had traveled the world multiple times but had never attended a powwow. Her friends encouraged her to participate in the honor dance for veterans on Saturday evening. A woman traditional cloth dancer lent her a shawl and feather fan and the female veteran was overjoyed to be a part of something so sacred and strong.

As usual, our elders were present. Three sisters, well-known in Owen County, Annie Bright, artist, writer, and native plant expert, along with sister and activist Bridget Rode, and sister and early childhood educator, Becky Schrock, enjoyed a day of nearly as-perfect-as-it-gets weather, in which to sell their beadwork, jewelry, and handmade crafts. The three sisters observed dancers, drummers, singers, the “glow Dance” at dusk on Saturday, and partake of a tasty meal prepared for participant vendors, dancers, and staff on Saturday afternoon. All in all, the siblings had a fun-filled weekend!

Lead dancers this year consisted of: Head Man – Eric Parrish, Head Lady – Kichie – Alissa Malaterre, Head Junior Man – Hunter Parks, and Head Junior Lady – Emyle Hobbs. A woman from an Appalachian band of the Eastern Cherokee demonstrated the skill of “twining”, a traditional weaving method, while selling her woven bags and tooled leatherwork. Another artist displayed her acrylic paintings and drawings, while her husband sold jewelry, figurines, and other artwork. Another vendor explained the various uses for his specially blended herbal balms and tinctures, while “A Fungus Among Us”, renowned throughout Owen County as simply the mushroom lady, had a BOGO of her homegrown lion’s mane mushrooms. Food vendors offered lemonade, tea, buffalo burgers, and other savory delights.

If you are thinking of coming to the gathering next year, contact Cyndi Capps (812) 821 – 4406, Rachel Blythe (812) 698 – 7378, or Sarah Baysinger (812) 229 – 2596 for more details.

(Contact Aliyah Keuthan at kestreldancing@yahoo.com)

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