Chicago's Fifty Years of Powwows

<Adapted from the book of the same name>

The Third Circle: Songbirds

In powwow country, women singers are known as canaries or songbirds. Women's voices fuse with the men's voices to form beautiful harmonies, instilling strength and pride in our children and honoring those who came before us.

Oral histories articulate stories of the prominent role of women in Native communities. As Native societies evolve and transform, traditional practices become affected, resulting in a contemporary practice of mistranslations, or remnants combined with modern philosophies. Nonetheless, long ago women warrior societies of singers existed. Although songs from these societies were not "powwow" songs, they were vital to the daily lives of Native people as they celebrated life giving and renewal.

Songs are composed for many purposes. Women continue to perform for specific occasions including: songs for delivering babies, for childless women to have children, lullabies, food gathering and preparation, songs that are connected to making utilitarian necessities (i.e. clothing, pots, tools, etc), as medicine for female illnesses, mourning or burial songs, and animal songs related to medicine or story songs.

In the days of the modern powwow, what hasn't changed is the call of the woman warrior—the "lu lu" (shrill or high pitched ululation). As the third circle provides beauty and balance into powwow songs, it is equally wonderful to experience the high praise of the woman's lu lu. The lu lu signifies an appreciation of an honoring song or dance. It is a sound associated with both mourning and celebration.

In Chicago, a continual practice of elder to youth or cultural bearer to youth learning is common. The importance of the third circle is recognized as women hold a position of respect. One story explains that woman is closer to the Creator as she also is a life giver. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the second circle to protect the heartbeat while the third circle nurtures the heartbeat.

The role of women has changed in tribal societies since Western contact. In our tribal nations, women have remained strong, vital parts of society, existing in harmony with men. Fortunately, because of our connection and honor to those who came before, women remain the epitome of Native survival.

Still today women warriors seek to create healthy communities and mend the circles in our lives and the lives of others around us. These warriors are mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, and wives. They are also honored and respected healers, educators, students, artists, activists, scientists, and dancers.

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The book Chicago's Fifty Years of Powwow has many more photos and offers insights that are not presented in this Online Essay. To obtain a copy of your own, follow this offsite link to the webpage for the Chicago American Indian Center.