POWWOW

 X Our next stop on this two month whirlwind,, wonderful vacation

was Lander, Wyoming which borders the Wind River Indian Reservation. 

We knew we were stopping in Lander…but here’s something we didn’t know…

The Wind River Indian Reservation is shared by the Shoshone and the Arapaho.

Again we didn’t know any of this when we booked our cabin…courtesy of Air B & B

Lander was just supposed to be an overnight stop on our way back to NC.

But as we entered Lander…we saw Native Americans in costumes…and that is all it took…for us to turn into the parking lot…and have ourselves a closer look.

It turns out what we happened on was a powwow…and it gave the two of us the chance

to witness a celebration of Native American Culture through their singing and their dance.

We learned it is the largest powwow in Wyoming as we watched them dance, felt their drumbeats and listened to their songs…It celebrates the Native American’s diversity…and it lasts all summer long.

We saw father’s and sons…mother’s and daughters dressed in exquisitely adorned traditional garments of their tribe…the beadwork…the feathers…the ribbons..the bells…the beauty is difficult to describe.

Their oral stories, their singing, their dancing to the rhythm of the drums…like a metronome…reinforce their connection to the land…the land they once called home…

For the Native Americans knew many years ago…and today still understand

the land will take care of them…if they take care of the land.

They invite everyone to their powwows through the summer on any given date

to observe, to experience, to learn, to enjoy and, with them, to celebrate

We spent an hour at this powwow staying longer than we thought we would…

In awe of what we were seeing….trying to absorb as much as we could…

We left with an admiration of the wonderful traditions the Native Americans had…

but as we left we also could’t help…feeling a little sad.

Sad knowing how the indigenous people were treated…calling them savages instead of our sisters and our brothers….Sad to think of all the we could have gained…and learned from one another.

Wondering what America would be like today…if when we entered her shores all those years ago…We tried a little harder to listen and to befriend…the Shoshone and the Arapaho.