DIVERSE HERITAGE INSIDE A POWWOW Powwows are an important cultural tradition and intergenerational community get-together where Native people perform traditional music, dance and storytelling. Non-natives are invited to respectfully attend powwows to learn about this deep cultural legacy that preexists the United States. These days, large powwows may have 25 drums and over 1,000 dancers—in a line stretching for a mile! Participants are expected to memorize songs down to the final beat, and they differ from region to region. Time, skill and artistry go into the songs and dances, which honor memories and share stories of creation. Bud Johnston, board president of the Keepers of the Sacred Tradition of Pipemakers, emphasizes the symbolic and narrative significance of different dances. Visitors should pay attention to the details in regalia, songs and style, which differ between dances. For instance, dancers and drummers may be accompanied by participants who place a pinch of tobacco onto a drum for a pipe ceremony. Powwows also feature bustling markets with vendors that sell traditional foods such as fry bread tacos and wild rice, along with specialty crafts including native beadwork, medicinal plants and tinctures, and leatherwork. Summer is peak season for Minnesota powwows, but indoor celebrations continue through the winter as well. Mille Lacs Band’s annual powwow in August features majestic regalia and a celebration of Ojibwe culture. In September, the Mahkato Wacipi celebrates Dakota culture while honoring the memory of the 38 Dakota warriors executed in 1862. Prairie Island Indian Community Wacipi (Powwow) -Photo by Lorie Shaull Jeffers Petroglyphs PIPESTONE NATIONAL MONUMENT Sacred red pipestone is quarried here by Native communities across the country. Explore and learn about the active quarry pits, quartzite rock formations, tallgrass prairie and Winnewissa Falls. Pipestone National Monument Circle Trail Read more about tribal destinations and plan your trip today! MORE NATIVE AMERICAN SITES ExploreMinnesota.com/NativeSites # ONLYIN MN | 41
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2021 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 41
