Celebrating the American Indian

Saturday - April 4, 2009

North Carolina State University - Raleigh, NC

The Native American Studies center at NCSU sponsored a powwow yesterday. And I have to say, they did a great job of putting it all together. (My only wish ... was that they had held it outside. Indoors just doesn't feel right)

I would strongly suggest to the administration of NCSU ... Please get the advertising/marketing materials approved and out to the public at least a month in advance of the event. Had it not been for my friend Jamie Oxendine sending me an email about the event, I would never have known it was happening.

Now that I have that out of the way ...

The gathering of people in the gymnasium spanned all generations, and the air of mutual respect was rife with culture. Each and every time I attend one of these events I learn something new and take away an even greater respect for the native Americans. We owe them an awful lot, as they were the true pioneers of our country.

As I watched the dancers prepare for the exhibition I could hear the drums and chants behind me. It made for a strange feeling ... seeing the faces of todays young preparing to honor the legends of their ancestry ... actually quite sobering.

But to watch the ceremonial dancing ... if you've never seen it there is no way on earth for you to understand.

Here are a few photos just to share the feeling, the energy, the colors ... Hope you enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow **If you recognize any of the dancers, please email with their names. I would be happy to edit the slideshow to give them credit for their participation. Thanks!