[Paul G]

All of the photos are now online!

Hope you enjoy:

http://www.powwows.com/galleries/sho...ry.php?cat=575

[1dancing white wolf]

JimGreyOwl,
I am with the VEVITA color guard (my husband is the Eagle Staff bearer). I am so sorry that you were mistreated by the MCI staff when you tried to come down and meet Michael. He is an outstanding young man who was overwhelmed by the response he recieved from the NDN community. Many people came over to shake his hand and thank him for his sacrifice, and he was given many small gifts that meant so much to him. I think what really impressed him the most was that he is not an Indian, but we treated him with respect and dignity, as we do all veterans. He told us before he left that the experience was very postive and healing for him, and that he would always remember how wonderful we all were. Micheal is still on active duty pending discharge at this time, so he will be going home to Washington state soon.
On the subject of the MCI center security-I was very disappointed with some of the staff. I was rather rudely asked to show my armband while in regalia several times as I went back to the dressing room to use the facilities. On Sunday, I was in street clothes (kahkis and a VEVITA t-shirt) assisting Mrs. West, who was taking photos of grand entry and had to inform an MCI security staff member who Mrs. West was when he was rude with us for "blocking a news photographer". Apparently, these people were not informed who VIPs were. On the flip side-when we entered the building from the street first thing in the morning, the security guards at the entrance were required to search our cases, but refrained from handling our regalia, and only asked us to open the cases and then sent us on our way. One guard in particular was very nice about not touching anything, once I explained about my husbands Eagle feather box. We had volunteers in our dressing rooms to help with whatever needed helping with, and these folks were pleasant and polite. One lady even helped me find a restaurant in Chinatown, giving me directions (and the food was excellent).
I think that these people are more accustomed to the crowds at concerts and sporting events and do not understand the social situation that is the core of any pow wow.
And I was also amazed at how rude some of the photographers were to us, shoving cameras right in our faces while were conversing outside the dance arena. Granted, we all had to sign a waiver for photographs, but I still felt that a modicum of common courtesy could have been maintained. Senator Campbell was constantly mobbed by photographers, as was Mr. West. These gentlemen are elders, and it would have been nice to see the press give them a little space so they could relax and enjoy the pow wow.
The vendor area was absolute chaos, and anyone in regalia was subject to cameras popping off, and people touching them without asking. Having done several programs at the NMAI over the last several months, I can tell you that this is the norm for DC. When I was at the museum on Memorial Day, I had to have a security escort take me inside when I was surrounded by tourists wanting pictures. Most of these people thought that it was my job to pose for photos, and many of them did not speak English.
Overall, I can say that I would not have missed this for the world, and that I have some really great memories to share of this weekend.

[smyles]

Hey all,

I enjoyed myself at the Saturday night 49 at Tom Toms' in Adam's Morgan. Thanks to the guys who sponsored it, and it was great to see everyone out having a good time. Even though it was hot, sweaty, and crowded, there were many Natives representing in the club. I especially enjoyed the Old School crew showing up, and the guys singing some 49 songs. There were a few cute Indians guys there as well; much love to everyone.

[Smokin' Ace]

Originally Posted by 1dancing white wolf

JimGreyOwl,
I am with the VEVITA color guard (my husband is the Eagle Staff bearer). I am so sorry that you were mistreated by the MCI staff when you tried to come down and meet Michael. He is an outstanding young man who was overwhelmed by the response he recieved from the NDN community. Many people came over to shake his hand and thank him for his sacrifice, and he was given many small gifts that meant so much to him. I think what really impressed him the most was that he is not an Indian, but we treated him with respect and dignity, as we do all veterans. He told us before he left that the experience was very postive and healing for him, and that he would always remember how wonderful we all were. Micheal is still on active duty pending discharge at this time, so he will be going home to Washington state soon.
On the subject of the MCI center security-I was very disappointed with some of the staff. I was rather rudely asked to show my armband while in regalia several times as I went back to the dressing room to use the facilities. On Sunday, I was in street clothes (kahkis and a VEVITA t-shirt) assisting Mrs. West, who was taking photos of grand entry and had to inform an MCI security staff member who Mrs. West was when he was rude with us for "blocking a news photographer". Apparently, these people were not informed who VIPs were. On the flip side-when we entered the building from the street first thing in the morning, the security guards at the entrance were required to search our cases, but refrained from handling our regalia, and only asked us to open the cases and then sent us on our way. One guard in particular was very nice about not touching anything, once I explained about my husbands Eagle feather box. We had volunteers in our dressing rooms to help with whatever needed helping with, and these folks were pleasant and polite. One lady even helped me find a restaurant in Chinatown, giving me directions (and the food was excellent).
I think that these people are more accustomed to the crowds at concerts and sporting events and do not understand the social situation that is the core of any pow wow.
And I was also amazed at how rude some of the photographers were to us, shoving cameras right in our faces while were conversing outside the dance arena. Granted, we all had to sign a waiver for photographs, but I still felt that a modicum of common courtesy could have been maintained. Senator Campbell was constantly mobbed by photographers, as was Mr. West. These gentlemen are elders, and it would have been nice to see the press give them a little space so they could relax and enjoy the pow wow.
The vendor area was absolute chaos, and anyone in regalia was subject to cameras popping off, and people touching them without asking. Having done several programs at the NMAI over the last several months, I can tell you that this is the norm for DC. When I was at the museum on Memorial Day, I had to have a security escort take me inside when I was surrounded by tourists wanting pictures. Most of these people thought that it was my job to pose for photos, and many of them did not speak English.
Overall, I can say that I would not have missed this for the world, and that I have some really great memories to share of this weekend.

Hey Rie - what's up? I didn't know you were there girl - sorry I missed ya!

[Ndnsoldierboy]

Over here in the middle east, there was a split pic of a boys teen fancy dancer during grand entry and a kid from the Seneca Nation that made page 10 of the Stars and Stripes. I had forgotten all about the powwow until I saw the article which was about 4 sentences long. I hope everyone had a good time overall at the powwow.

[1dancing white wolf]

Hey Ace,
If you were watching the dancers, then you didn't see much of me-I didn't contest, just danced Grand Entry and some intertribals. Mostly I was taking care of VEVITA-they are calling me "Mom" now. You know how that goes; hair needs braiding, things need fixing, ect. Sunday I was doing the incognito thing, no regalia. A friend of mine who works for the museum was not feeling well and asked me to help him out with a few things during Grand Entry. So basically I was all over the place, but with all that beautiful beadwork in the dance arena, nobody was looking at me in my simple white buckskin. I think I spent the whole weekend saying "Look at that. Make one of those for me." Steve has so much beadwork to do for me this winter!

[Paul G]

I'm uploading the first of the videos now:

Bear Butte Crossing
Grass
Midnite Express

[ndnwmn21]

Thanks Paul for taking the pics and posting them. For those of us that were unable to make it. Thanks for taking the time to let us be a part of it through pics and video.

Thanks again you're great.

[Singing Otter]

Paul pleeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me you got the fancy shawl and jingle exhibitions.

[Paul G]

Originally Posted by Singing Otter

Paul pleeeeeeeeeeeeease tell me you got the fancy shawl and jingle exhibitions.

The original dances?

I've got all of them!! I'm working on adding them all!

[Emmy]

Originally Posted by Paul G

I'm uploading the first of the videos now:

Bear Butte Crossing
Grass
Midnite Express

paul,
for some reason i cant see it i can hear it but thats it... neways where was bear butte crossing? next to white oak singers? the last drum?

[Paul G]

Originally Posted by Emmy

paul,
for some reason i cant see it i can hear it but thats it... neways where was bear butte crossing? next to white oak singers? the last drum?

Make sure you have lastest Windows Media Player.

[Emmy]

i do my machine is tempremental... ill try rebooting

[grneyendn]

I had no intentions of getting to attend this powwow at all but my mother, grandmother, and uncle was there. I called my mom on Friday to see what was up and she started telling me the people who she had already seen and the drums that were already there. At 5am the next morning I was on I-95 on my way to Washington DC for the National Powwow. I just couldn't stand it!!!!

I didn't get to dance myself, but we did make it there before Grand Entry and we let our son dance. This powwow was awesome and a true spiritual healing for me since I had such a bad week last week and was so depressed. After leaving Sunday night from the event - I was so refreshed and so thankful that I had attended.

As far as the MCI staff - I encountered their rudeness as well. My son, who is 2 yrs old, was in regalia and going back to the Grand Entry line-up area. I was stopped by the staff and told that I could not go back there with him because I did not have a red bracelet on. I explained to them that we were told there were no more bands and that I had to purchase a regular admission ticket and even showed her the ticket. She still refused to allow me to enter the line-up area. I was so mad at that point but knew that my son was in my arms, I over looked ignorance and waited patiently with my lil' grass dancer for his uncle in the Men's Grass to come by so that my child could dance in with him. I don't know how that lady was raised but I would have never even thought of my son lining up by himself since he is only 2!!!!! THAT WAS SO RUDE!!!

[sltate]

Does anyone have a complete list of winners for this pow wow???? I went to IICOT(my heart was in DC though, LOL) and was receiving texts from my friends who were in DC, but I never actually received a full list. LOL
WHOME, can you post an official list, please?
Also, I hope this can become a yearly celebration because I think it would be the pow wow on the 2000's(like Red Earth was the 80's, Schemitzun was the 90's) except this one is promoting educational information straight from the NMAI, how exciting!!! I enjoyed the myth busters as well as the photos, it must have been a real exciting and educational experience with the best dancers and singers from Indian Country. Sounds like a winner for the pow wow of the year!!!!

[sltate]

Sorry to hear about the arena staff but I would have to say that being in a building such as the MCI arena, you have to go along with their security rules and it sounds like they were only doing their jobs. I imagine they never had a pow wow there before, therefore they were not familiar with traditions that go along with our celebrations. I hope they learned a little heritage and culture by the end of the weekend. LOL I guess they couldn't help being affected with as many Native Americans in one place for 3 days, so maybe they took something positive with them!

[Paul G]

I've just uploaded about 13 videos.

This includes:
Southern Sun
Stoney Creek
Yellowhammer
Midnite Express
Bear Creek

Original Fancy Feather
Original Fancy Shawl

Grass
Fancy Feather

More coming tommorrow.

[ABENEWA KWE]

Originally Posted by Paul G

Thanks!

Remember guys it isn't going to be an annual event.

well .. now that sucks!! i missed it ... and i thought that i would go next year ... shhhhhhhooooooooooooooot!!!

so are they going to do it like ... every other year or so???

lataz

p.s .. Paul ... thanks for posting videos!!! at least i can watch!!

[Paul G]

I'm not uploading the last of the videos. These include:

Crow Exhibition
Jingle
Original Buckskin
Original Cloth
Original Jingle
Original Straight
Original Traditional
Straight

Hope you enjoy!

[Smokin' Ace]

You are doing a great job Paul - thanks for all you do!