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"Building communicative bridges in a tri-racial setting" I
LUME 16 NUMBER 37 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1990 . '* 25t PER COPY |
North Carolina Statewide Indian Heritage
Month Celebration Planned at
Cultural Center
Strong high-pitched singing voices...Accompanied by
the rhythm of the drum and tinkling bells... accompanied
by the rhythmic movements of dancers clad in brightly
multicolored rag alia.... set against a backdrop of the
Lumbee River, tepees, tents, families, friends, smiles and
laughter. These are the sights and sounds of the Row
Wow to be held September 15 and 16 at the North
Carolina Indian Cultural Center.
TRADITIONAL PIPE CEREMONY
To the Indian the pipe is a sacred object. For the
Indian there is just the pipe, the earth they sit upon and
the open sky. Hie spirit is everywhere. Sometimes it
shows itself through an animal, a bride or some trees and
hills. Sometimes it speaks from a stone, or even from the
wrater. That soke from the pipe goes striaght up to the
spirit world. But this is a two-way thing. Power flows
down the through that smoke, throught the pipe right into
your body. It makes your hair stand up. That pipe is not
just a thing, it is alive.
Touching the bows made of smooth red pipe-stone, red
like the blood of the people sharpens the senses that the
forefathers who once smoke this very pipe are right there
with them.
PURPOSE OF THE POW WOW
The Pow Wow is the Indian's way of expressing
visual Indianness. To the observer, this appears as
entertainment The religious overtones are not apparent
and perhaps this is one reason why the U.S. Government
has never tried to stop Pow Wows. Besides dancing and
singing, one of the main purposes of the Pow Wow is to
renew old friendships and also to create new friendships.
Hope that Indian people could revitalize their
reservations came with the Indian Reorganization Act of
1934, which repealed all remaining laws suppressing
Indian culture. As a ceremonial expsession of the renewed
pride, an increasing number of Pow Wows began to
emerge among all the Indian tribes.
today's Pow Wow is a direct ancestor of the national,
formal War Dance. The revival of Pow wows has spread to
every community with an Indian population.
At the Old Style Dance Festival and Pow Wow,
September 15th and 16th, of the Lumber Tribe,
traditional customs and symbols will be conspicuously
present; giveaways, feasting, and sharing meals with
friends is lavish; the many dancers and tepees that circle
the dancing arena fill the air with the aroma of a pow
wow.
Each day begins with a Grand Entry, a flag raising
ceremony and opening prayers followed by dance
contests. Throughout the course of the two days,
individual members of the states' tribes will express a
"giveaway" ceremony. This expression of thanks may
commemorate an event or an accomplishment, and
includes the giving away of gifts.
THEDRUM
The Drum is composed not only of the instrument by
the head singer and other singers. Indians regard the
drum as the oldest thing he remembers and it is looked
upon as something that has always been with him. The
drumis considered to be the grandmother and to be
looked upon with respect and dignity. There shall be no
profanity around the drum and no one drinking may
approach the drum. Humility is a must Any person who
sits at the drum must fed in his heart that he is no better
than any other person sitting around him.
Women singers are limited to the role of "chorus
singers"; that is, singing behind the men seated at the
drum, recognizing the drum's sacred significance.
Songs are sung from memory and learned only by
listening. Songs are sung in unison no harmony. In songs
that may use words and carry a message, just enough are
used to carry the primary concept Songs are short in
length and are often repeated many times.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Ray Littleturtie. Littleturtle is a Lumbee- Che raw
traditionalist He has served as Master of Ceremonies at
numerous pow wows throughout the Blast Coast He also
lectures throughout the country on Indian culture and
religion.
Currently he sponsors the Lumbee Che raw dancers.
Traveling with the group throughout the United States to
various pow wows and cultural events.
HOST DRUM
The Running Water Singers of Fayette ville will serve
as the host drum for the upcoming pow wow. Since
forming Mhfe'ftah ago, the Running Water Stagers
have made a name for themselves throughout the country
within the pow wow circuit
IMPORTANCE OF THEEAOLEt^ .THER
The eagle is a majestic bird that flies high into the
sky., almost into the presence of the Great Spirit Since
the eagle flies so close tot he spirit he is able not only to
cany the prayers of men upward, Lj can also bring the
power and grace back to man. Even though eagle feathers
are hard to obtain, and are illegal for non Indians to
possess, they remain a sacred part of Native American
ceremonies.
The eagle is held in a place of honor, lb wear the
eagle's feathers and to imitate high flight helps the
dancer to share in the honor and partake of the power of
the eagle.
Much of the regalia (Indian attire) has eagle feathers as
the most important part of each dancer's regalia. The
more eagle feathers on oneself, the more tradition that
dancer carries.
Exhibits Skills Uuring Heritage H eek
MIKE WOKINS, itone carver from Pembroke, ditpiay*
tome of kit work on ditpiay at the PSU Native American
Retourct Center, fnchedtd are a "Lumber Walking
Stick" \u>hick he holdtJ, a fhgurine entitled "Ike
Trilogy,'' and the image of a Ktamman in memory of the
routing of a Klan rally near Maxtor by the Lumber
Indian* in 1958. Wilkin* will ditpiay kit craft at PSU
during "Indian Heritage Week" September 17-SO.
Mike Wilkine, 31 year old atone carver from FVmbroke,
became intereatedin the craft at the age of 10 watching
the late Indian ecoutieader Walter Pinchbeck whittling
away.
Wilkin a waa faacinated by what he aaw. And aiao by the
carving akilla of other* like Arnold RJchardeon and Archie
Lynch.
Hia carving akilla became perfected aa he grew older,
and he now haa three worka on exhibit at PSlTa Native
American Resource Center.
Wilkins will also exhibit his carving skills beginning at
6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept 18, at PSlTs Lowry Bell Tower
during "Indian Heritage Week." Lynch, a member of teh
the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe of Hollister, will carve with him.
A pow wow, sponsored by PSlTs Native American
Student Organisation, will be taking place simultaneously
at the same location.
"I carve what I see in the stone," said Wilkins. In other
words, each stone has a mesaaage."
Such was the case of a piece of white soap stone from
which Wilkins carved a figure of Christ which he calls
"The Trilogy." The main figure is unquestionably Christ
but also a part of the carving is "the Father" on the left
shoulder of Christ and the Holy Spirit at His feet On the
back of the figurine is a face which Wilkins describes as
Satan. "At first I was going to carve a fishout of this
piece of stone," said Wilkins, but as he started to work he
saw Christ emerge from the stone.
Another of Wilkins' works on exhibit in the Native
American Resource Center is a "Lumbee Walking Stick."
litis twisted cane, meticulously sanded, has an Indiany
face on its top with a hand stretching out Wilkins said he
whittled away in the evenigns at hia leisure in carving it
A third work on exhibit at the NARC is a piece of dark
soapetone carved into the head at a Klansman It is in
remembrance of the Klan rally which was dispelled by the
Lumbee Indians near Maxton in 1958. This work is
entitled "True Warriors" and is dedicated to Wilkins'
father. Daniel Wilkins; Walter Pinchbeck; Simeon
Oxen dine, who received special recognition for breaking
up the Klan rally; and Henry Berry Lowrie, the Indian
hero about whose life the outdoor drama "Strike at the
Wind" is presented each summer near Pembroke.
"I really had to do some chiseling to do the one of the
Klandman." said Wilkins.
Wilkins, who says he didn't become "really serious
about carving until the last couple of years," says he has
exhibited work at the Native American Center in
Baltimore, the Indian Unity Conference in Greensboro
and a pow wow in Hollister.
His educational background includes attending Central
Piedmont Community College for one year and earnign a
diploma in electrical installation from Robe son
Co mm unity College. He is now employed by Fleetwood
Mobile Homes of fVmbroks.
Wilkins' life is another that was influenced by that of
Walter Pinchbeck, who died in 1977 after 28 years of
service int he P8U Maintenance Department, most ot it as
department superintendent Pinchbeck would be proud to
see the work Wilkins is now displaying?.
Nahtr Loddear, the reigning Mist Lumbee, it the IS
year old daughter of Mr. and Mr*. Denzel Loddear of
Pembroke. Currently Nahtr it a freshmant, majoring tn
Business Administration at Pembroke State University.
When she isn't lifting weights, Nakir enjoys reading
Ltsmbee history and spending time with the elders of the
tribe culture and traditions.
Nahiris shown above dressed in the traditional Lumbee
Cheraw dress, designed and custom modi by BermidfSue
Clark of Hope Mills. She is also wearing a silver crown,
the front of it has an ear of com, tobacco, the Lumbee
River, Old Main and an Indian head etched against a
scalloped border with a sun burst design. The croup was
designed by Lumbee silver smith Pmce Chavis of
Pembroke.
Farmers To Be
'Honored During
Celebration
Hie North Caroline In dan Cultural Center will be the
official site for N.C. Indian tribes to hold specail tribal ^
ceremonies to celebrate North Caortina's Indian heritagi
past and present September 15 and 16.
Governor Jim Martin has proclaimed September as
North Carolina Indian Heritage Appreciation Month and
all the tribes and organizations in North Carolina will b<
having special ceremonies. All are open to the public to
highlight their contributions and heritage in Nrth
Carolina's development historically and currently.
The official event in which all tribes and organizations
will jointly participate will be here in Robeson County at
the Cultural Center. The public will have an opportunity
to see traditional American Indian dancers and traditional
foods and crafts will be for sale.
A special ceremony will be held to honor all farmers of
Robeson and adjoining counties for their many
contributions to society in producing food for all citizens
livelihood. This will be a traditional Indian Ceremony in
which the dancers will honor these farmers with a "dance
of prayer" to the Great Spirit for their contributions and
bountiful crops that feed all the people.
Tobacco can corn will be used as part of the ceremonies
since both symbolise ancient crops native to the heritage
of North Carolina Indians and of which have been major
products in the development of North Carolina economic
ally.
All farmers are ashed to come out and be honored in
this special ceremony at the cultural center. The
ceremony will be Saturday. September 15 at 7:30 p.m. for
farmers and will be conducted in a traditional decorum.
Also as part of the two day event, dancers will perform
traditional native dances and compete for over (6,000 in
prize money. The events will focus on ancient dance and
art forms of North Carolina tribes. This will be an
excellent opportunity for the public to learn more about
North Carolina Indian tribes and their heritage in
celebration of the North Carolina Indian Heritage Month
proclaimed by Governor Jim Martin.
Indian Heritage
School Day Sept. 14
A special program for school students will be held
Friday, September 14 in conjunction with the North
Carolina statewide Indian Heritage program.
The special program will feature Indian festival
dancing, demonstrations and displays of traditional and
contemporary Indian artifacts and crafts persons and
exhibits from Indian tribes and Indian museums. Willie
Lowery, Lumbee folk musician, will give special
performances. Indian story tellers will present legends
and special films will be shown.
According to Ben Jacobs of the North Carolina Indian
Cultural Center, the school day program is sponsored by
the Cultural Center. Robeson County Public Schools, and
Terica Brooke Lowry, Little Mitt Lumbee, it the tix
year old daughter of Wamda Allen Lowry of Pembroke
Terica attends Pembroke Elementary School where the it
tn the first grade. She it an accomplished gymnast who
enjoys dancing at pow wows and representing all 10,000
Lumbee Indians.
Thrice is shown wearing a traditional Lumbee Cherau
dress and a crownd e signed and created by Bennie Sue
dark of Hope Mills. The drees, shawl and crown are
styled in the beaded floral Iroquois design.
Lumbee Regional Development Association. "We want to
give area students opportunities to share and celebrate
the North Caortina Indian Heritage," said Jacobs.
"Students will enjoy performances by the Lumbee
Cheraw Dancers," said Jacobs. "The event will have over
14 artists and crafts persons who will demonstrate a
vareity of interesting and exciting arts," he said.
Jacobs said students -who attend the school program
will see many entertaining and educational activities.
They will enjoy an outing at the beautiful, scenic
environment of the North Carolina Indian Cultural
j Center.
Nth Annual GNAA
k
Powwow Planned
The traditional sound of Native American musk
welcomes you and your family to a festival of celebration
of Indian Heritage. Guilford Native American Association
is holding their 14th annual pow wow at the Guilford
County Fairgrounds, off Penny Road, in High Print,
North Caortina, September 21 and 22.
Native Americans from across the state and nation will
compete in dance competition for more than (4,000 in
prise money for dancers and drummers. The Running
Water Singers of Fayetteville will be the host drum. Many
tribal dancers will be present including the Eastern Band
of Cherokee, Lumee, Haliwa- Saponi, Waccamaw Siouan,
Coharie. Tuscarora. Cheyenne, Eno- Occaneechi. Sioux,
Seminole. Western Band of Cherokee and others. Dancer
registration will be held Friday, September 21 between 5
and 7 p.m. and Saturday between 10 a.m. and noon.
Opening ceremonies and grand entries will be 7 p.m.
Friday; 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday.
Gospel singing will be featured Saturday from 11 a.m.
until 12 noon. Indian traders and craftspeople from all
over the region will offer their art for sale and Native
cooks will keep you filled with fry bread, Navajo tacos and
other delicious foods. Camping space for tents and tipis
and plenty of parking in available. Admission is 12 per
person, tl for senior citizens and children six and under
admitted free. The general public is welcome. Since
seating is limited thepublic is advised to bring blankets,
folding chairs, etc.
No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs will be allowed
on the festival grounds. For further information contact
Guilford Native American Association, Inc. in Greensboro
at 919 p273 8886.
This pow wow was made possible with a grant from the
Greensboro Area Visitors and Convention Bureau.
io suDscrib* Call
(910)521-2826
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