Karen Tate, member of the West Virginia Committee on Native American Ministries, shares her experience at the PowWow at Parsons, WV.
The Powwow in Parsons was held on June 24th and 25 at Five River Campground. This festive celebration of Native American culture was open to the public and featured traditional drumming, singing, and dancing. There was also flute-playing by Matt Harmon, storytelling by Ragghi Rain Calentine (who was a guest at the 2015 West Virginia Annual Conference), and even a presentation about various birds of prey by Collin Waybright, accompanied by his falcon.
The proceedings opened with a blessing of the dance circle, followed by the presentation of flags and grand entry in full regalia, a welcome, and opening prayer. Both styles of powwow music and dance, the northern and southern, were represented. The Red Blanket Singers were the host northern drum, and the Warpaint Singers were the host southern drum. Traditional, fancy shawl, grass, jingle, round, and specialty dances were performed, and during the intertribal dances, everyone attending was invited to participate.
Throughout the powwow, everyone was encouraged to show respect and reverence for indigenous peoples and cultures. In particular, a special welcome was extended to veterans and to those regarded as elders of their communities. As a member of WV CONAM, I found this powwow was an excellent opportunity to learn more about Native ways, directly from the indigenous residents of this land we all share.
The United Methodist Church provided supper meals for all the Indigenous People for two days. It was the best meal ever, and they were too kind to us.
Raggatha “Ragghi” Calentine
Ragghi (left) and Karen (right) at the PowWow
