Embracing native culture

Following the success of this weekend's inaugural First Nations at Indiana University American Indian pow wow, plans are currently in the air to bring the event back next year, making the pow wow an annual attempt to further the cultural awareness of the general public and dispel stereotypes concerning Native Americans.\nThe event, host to nearly 2,000 people from around the Midwest, managed to maintain the interest of many despite the excitement growing across the street at Assembly Hall in preparation for the NCAA semi-finals. The crowd numbered more than event organizers expected, said Navajo Wesley Thomas, IU assistant professor of anthropology and organizer of the event.\nThomas said most pow wows around the country will charge $2-10 just to get in the door, but the FNIU pow wow was free -- a possible enticement to attend. \nThomas went on to add that the fieldhouse, although spacious enough to host the event, might not be his ideal choice for pow wows of the future. \n"The sound system isn't very good and everything echoes and bounces around," said Thomas. The IU athletic department is also a concern for the FNIU pow wow because they will not allow any food to be sold at the fieldhouse, other than the standard coke, popcorn and hot dogs sold at athletic events.\nThomas said the pow wow wanted to sell Native American food and if the athletic department does not budge next year, they might have to go elsewhere, despite the fact that they want to keep the event associated with the University.\nArts and crafts booths lined the inside of the arena, selling authentic Native American goods including jewelry, dream-catchers, blankets, clothes and more. Thomas said most of the interest was in native artwork, and the vendors were quite content with their sales.\nFollowing with tradition, the Gourd Dance, a warrior's dance, introduced the three Grand Entries to jump start the events each day.\nComprised of American Indian veterans of the U.S. military, older men and younger men, all dancing the dances of their respective tribes, Thomas said the Grand Entry was a highlight of the pow wow and fascinating to the audience.\n"The general audience is not aware of the differences in dance styles, and can get bored easily because of their short attention span," Thomas said. "The Grand Entry fascinates them, because it's so many people and dancers, all coming in one giant mass."\nLaKota Todd Hauff, a traditional male dancer and recent graduate of Indiana Wesleyan College, said the pow wow is about getting together with loved ones and providing a background for their children about their culture.\n"Getting together and sharing is what it's all about," Hauff said. He said the pow wow is an important part of teaching his children what they will need to teach their children about being a LaKota.\nHauff wears a roach, an ornate headdress made of bright green feathers when he dances. When he is performing, Hauff said he honors the creator and the family as he dances, giving thanks for his life.\nInspired by the beat of the drum, the pow wow featured a variety of drummers to accompany the dancers. Jim Genia, a Dakota Sioux from Ohio, came to the pow wow with his family and his three boys famous for their drumming abilities.\n"My favorite part of this weekend has been listening to my kids sing and drum," Genia said. "Not only my sons, but the healing it does for all of the people who hear."\nHis boys, ages 12, eight and seven, travel around the country to pow wows and are recognized for their songs and their style. \n"They are like little men folk," Genia said. "They do this as a way of life, and they live close to their drum, named thunderboys."\nGenia said the name thunderboys came to them through signs of nature.\n"We listened to the wind blow and the water run and the lightening from the thunder," Genia said.\nThe pow wow for many of the American Indians who took part this weekend was an opportunity to share their culture and history.\n"This is a celebration of life where we can come together and choose how we want to live," Genia said.