-
1 of 10
-
2 of 10
-
3 of 10
-
4 of 10
-
5 of 10
-
6 of 10
-
7 of 10
-
8 of 10
-
9 of 10
-
10 of 10
12th Annual Seven Arrows Pow Wow held at Boise State
Archive
Comments
Story
The Boise State Intertribal Native Council hosted its 12th annual Seven Arrows Pow Wow this past weekend, April 15-17, in the Student Union Building. Attendees were exposed to Native American tradition through dance and music.
The event kicked off Friday evening at 5 p.m. and ran until midnight. Introductions were made while the Native American Honor Guard presented its colors along with the American flag. From the minute the Pow Wow commenced until late into the night, various groups provided singing and dancing. The Lightning Creek provided drumming.
After the children performed, members of different tribes came together to dance and rejoice, forming a huge circle around the Jordan Ballroom. John Stockton of Nez Percé said this dance was know as the Friendship Dance, where members dance within a circle, while meeting new people.
Stockton, who has been part of the Pow Wow for 10 years, said, “It is very important to keep the tradition of dancing and to pass it on to the kids, so it doesn’t die.”
He added that the children performing do not practice their routines, because most of them have been dancing since they were very small.
During the three days, Ron Saunders discussed Flint napping, Laurie Gibson taught the Shoshone language, and Coyote Short explained the history behind arrowheads.
Short, a Paiute, works at the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology teaching children about obsidian stone and how it was used to make tools. During her performance, Short did the Modoc dance, which consisted of stomping lightly on the ground. This dance is also known as the “lava dance,” because it was developed on the lava beds as an offering of prayer to the creator. Inspired by her grandmother, Short has been dancing for 25 years.
“I am one of the few people who still performs this type of dance,” Short said. “It’s not done any more, because people don’t know the history behind it.”
Dancing and drumming ceremonies took place inside the Jordan Ballroom. There were 23 dance categories, ranging from seven-year-old boys and girls to men and women aged 55 and up. Judges determined the results of the winners based on originality, regalia, rhythm, and most importantly, they assured that the dancer was able to stop when the drums stopped.
The boys and men dressed in three different styles. The traditional costume is a costume made mostly of small feathers, the fancy style is decorated with big and beautiful feathers, and the grass style is a costume adorned with yarn and ribbons. The girls and women also wore the traditional and fancy styles. Instead of the grass style, they had the jingle style, which consisted of a costume adorned with bells that added melody to the drumbeat.
On Saturday, the Pow Wow hosted the Men’s Open Special, which included all dance categories. The game center in the Student Union held morning pool and bowling tournaments from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The Team Dance Special was held on Sunday, encouraging all dancers to dance in a huge group. Performers competed for $7,000 in cash prizes. There was also a raffle for the Yellow Wolf Bronze Statue, as well as a silent auction.Souvenirs such as jewelry, ceramics, flutes, and incense were available for purchase in any of the booths set up throughout the second floor. Native American art will be displayed in the SUB art gallery on April 13-15.
Lee Boyle, president of the Intertribal Native Council, said, “The main reason for hosting this type of event is to raise people’s awareness of Native Americans as well raise people’s awareness to different cultures.” Boyle is the main person involved in creating a Native American center in Boise. He has also been active as traditional dancer and craftsman.
Liz Hale
News Writer
