Chicago's Fifty Years of Powwows

<Adapted from the book of the same name>

 

The Fourth Circle: The Community

 

THE POWWOW OPENS WITH THE GRAND ENTRY

What begins as a trickle turns into a cascade, as powwow participants flood the fourth circle. Veterans and flag bearers lead the procession, followed by Powwow "royalty" who represent various Native American communities, culminating with dignitaries and dancers. The Grand Entry song is followed by a flag song, then an invocation to bless the gathering


HONORING THE VETERANS

American Indian veterans are seen as warriors and protectors of the people. As such, they hold an honored place at the powwow and lead the Grand Entry procession.
Today's veterans are honored and respected as warriors who have met the challenges of life and death in defense of the "The People." At powwows, veterans are asked to be flag bearers and to commence the start of the powwow celebration. The colors are very important to the Native Americans, further recognizing the flag of the United States and Canada. Also, the eagle feather staff and a flag for each branch of the military are carried into the dance circle and posted. The eagle staff, comprised of multiple eagle feathers, serves as the flag for Native Americans, inclusively.

Other respected individuals include princesses from visiting tribes and organizations.

Indian people have many ways of honoring their veterans, especially their wounded veteran, and the ones who have not returned to their loved ones. At every powwow there are honoring dances and songs. It is a part of Indian tradition to take time to show honor and respect for those who have met the challenges of life and death in defense of the people.

In a modern society that often doesn't seem to pay much attention to veterans, the honor accorded to veterans at the powwow can seem surprising to someone not familiar with Indian culture and customs. Veterans are asked to be flag bearers, called upon to retrieve dropped eagle feathers and honored in a multitude of veteran songs. The respect shown to veterans is an integral part of American Indian cultures, a tradition from times when the welfare of every village depended on the number and ability of its fighting men.

To be a warrior was a man's purpose in life and the most honorable death a man could have was to fall defending the people. To the Indian people, the well being of the entire tribe was more important than that of any individual; and so the warriors were honored because they were willing to give their lives in order that the people might live.

Today's veterans are accorded the same tokens of honor and respect as the warriors of times past, and, in many tribes, bravery is still revered as one of the four virtues: bravery, generosity, wisdom, and fortitude.

 

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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.

 

 
   Department of Anthropology
   copyright © 2002 University of Illinois, All rights reserved.
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