Hunting Moon Powwow Celebrates Ancient Traditions

Bells, feathers and shawls of all colors fluttered center stage as Native Americans danced to the rhythm of ancient chants.

The Hunting Moon Powwow took place on Oct. 19-21 at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. The Native American celebration brought together people from all over Wisconsin to eat, shop and dance.

It is considered one of the biggest powwows in Wisconsin. Dancers compete for cash prizes in specific categories based on gender and age.

Powwows are a social gathering for Native Americans that began in the early 1800s as a way to keep ancient traditions alive and celebrate ancestors.

The event was free and anyone was welcomed to attend.

Shane Mitchell was the head male dancer for the event and has attended too many pow wows to count.

“Its about coming together and we invite anybody of all nations and all races and colors to come and join us,” Mitchell said. “To feel the energy and how good it feels here to gather and be together as one.”

The grand entry is the highlight of each day and signifies the beginning of the powwow. This is the moment dancers are presented.

Drum circles from different tribes surrounded the arena floor as the dancers prepared. Each circle of about six men took a turn to perform ancient Native American chants.

The harmonious banging on each drum rung through the arena and the booming voices did not need a microphone to be heard. Many shut their eyes and projected their voice as each circle created enough sound to fill the stadium.

After each group performed, the dancers began to make their debut.

Military veterans lead the way with each person holding a flag. Some held the American flag while others held veteran flags from different branches of the military.

The host drum, Black Bear, continued to perform for the dancers.

The male dancers followed after the veterans. Their outfits are called regalias and they are quick to correct anyone who refers to them as costumes. Bright colors shone and handmade beadwork glistened under the stadium lights.

Maya Schuiler is a dancer whose grandparents began attending pow wows in their teenage years. Schuiler has been attending pow wows ever since she was a child and wore a traditional dress with metal cones replicating tobacco lids.

“When we dance we have to think about the ones we care about and just pray for them and hope for better help for them.” Schuiler said.

The men’s regalias are bigger than the women’s and are covered in feathers, beadwork and traditional patterns.

The male dancers are presented in order: Men’s traditional, Men’s Grass Dance, and Men’s Fancy.

The different styles of dance represent different tribes.

The women followed after in order: Women’s Traditional, Women’s Jingle and Women’s Fancy. Women wear regalias that are smaller than the men’s but just as bright.

Many outfits had rows of silver cones that represent tobacco pipes that are smoked in traditional ceremonies. The metal shook vigorously as the children stomped their feet. The clinking could be heard ringing in every direction.

Children of all ages followed the women as the last dancers presented and some were carried by mothers while others danced along. The dancers took time to display their talents and sing along to the chants.

The dancers were called back and there was a moment to honor the veterans who marched with their flags.

After the grand entry had ended the competitions began. Competitions are based on age, gender and style of dance. They range from children ages 0-5 to senior men and women. There are five winners for each competition and first prize wins the most money.

Dancers must be dressed in traditional regalia to compete.
The total in cash prizes added up to $100,000.

Native Americans make up 9 percent of Wisconsin’s total population.
These gatherings are an important way for them to come together and remember who they are and what their culture means. Pow wows are held all over Wisconsin and many families attend multiple ones a year.

“All the tribes come together and for me its all about dancing to heal,” Mitchell said. “I dance for my family, you know the ones that cant dance. Coming here its a good feeling and good energy and that’s what its all about.”