BARAGA -ìHonoring Our People,î the 22nd Keweenaw Bay Maawanjiíiding,
or Gathering of People, is getting underway at the Ojibwa Campground in Baraga. Highlights of the week-long Native American Pow Wow will occur
Friday, Saturday and Sunday - July 22-23. The events are open to the public.
ìVisitors come from all over the world,î said Pauline Spruce, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Pow Wow committee member.
The Baraga Pow Wow is the home of the Original Midnight Two Step Championship of the World, which is scheduled for Saturday night at 11:30 p.m.
in the Dance Arena.
ìItís actually the only (traditional Native American) dance where a man and a
woman can touch each other,î Spruce said. ìIt probably originated from
old-time square dance. . . and Native Americans added their own flavor to it.î
She noted the women ask the men, and if a man refuses he has to give the
woman a gift. Judges pick a selected number of couples to go on to the next step
until all are eliminated except the five best couples. The top three of these
couples win prizes. During the dance, judges ask the dancers questions - both serious and embarrassing. The judges can ask anything from ìWhat do you
think of the Green Bay Packers?î to ìWhat does your regalia mean to you?î
ìThey can ask you anything. You need to be prepared for anything,î Spruce explained.
This year a Youth Two Step Championship at 4 p.m. Saturday will offer the
younger set - ages 12 and under - a chance to dance without having to stay up too late.
Another important event is the Veterans Special right after the Grand Entry,
which begins at 7 p.m. in the Dance Arena. Photographs and other recordings are not allowed at this event, Spruce noted.
ìYou record that with your eyes and your ears and your heart,î she said. ìItís
really powerful watching all these warriors being honored . . . We honor veterans from any nation.î
Community elder Alice Hadden of Baraga noted the veterans ceremony recalls
the spiritual origins of the Pow Wow, which used be preceded by a four-day fast.
Whether or not visitors have fasted, the food booths will provide plenty to eat,
including traditional Native American fry bread. Judging of the fry bread makersí skills will occur at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the Blue/White Tent.
Admission to the Pow Wow is $3 a day or $5 for the weekend. Click here for the schedule of events.
