Editorial
Front Page - Friday, October 8, 2010
Red Clay Pow Wow offers a sample of Native American culture, history
David Laprad
The second annual Red Clay Pow Wow is scheduled to take place Oct. 22-24 at Red Clay Historic Park in Cleveland, Tenn. Visitors will be able to enjoy traditional dance and food as well as purchase handmade items from Native American vendors.
- Photo provided
Long before people from other countries came to the New World, Native Americans ruled the land. In particular, large numbers of Cherokee occupied the territory now called Tennessee. Modern day members of the tribe, as well as Native Americans from other Indian nations, will reclaim at least one small patch of picturesque terrain for three days when the Friends of Red Clay host their second annual Red Clay Pow Wow October 22 to 24.
Intended as a means of raising funds to offset the cost of maintaining Red Clay Historic Park in Cleveland, Tenn., the Pow Wow will give local residents an opportunity to learn about Native American history and culture through a variety of festivities.
Tammera Hicks, one of the coordinators of the event and a mixed blood Cherokee, says the highlight of the weekend will be the daily performances of a group of Aztec dancers.
“They take dancing seriously. It’s almost like a religion to them. They will perform several dances in full ceremonial dress,” she says.
Hicks is especially excited about the first day of the event, which the organizers have set aside for kids. In addition to learning to dance, the children in attendance will be able to play a variety of games and see demonstrations of Native American weaponry.
“We’ll do a Candy Dance, in which the kids will dance in a circle, and when the drums stop, they’ll be allowed to pick up the candy on the ground,” Hicks says.
Children will also get the opportunity to play a toned-down version of Stick Ball. Similar to lacrosse, Native American warriors would play the game to prepare for battle.
Throughout Kids Day, young visitors will also be able to watch Native Americans demonstrate the use of a blow dart, which their ancestors used for hunting, and an atlatl, a contraption that allows the user to throw a spear faster and farther.
“You have to be good at it to get the spear to go where you want it to. The kids won’t be able to try it,” Hicks says.
Also, Native American vendors from around the country will be selling trinkets they made specifically for children.
Vendors will also be on hand during the second and third days of the event, selling beadwork, primitive weaponry, pottery, clothing, jewelry, wood masks and more. Many will be demonstrating their trade.
“It will be a special time for our vendors, who do these things for a living. This is their livelihood, and they travel all over the U.S. selling what they make. The vendors enjoy speaking with the public and answering questions, so the Pow Wow will also allow people to learn about different Native American cultures,” Hicks says.
To encourage festivalgoers to remain at the park for the duration of each day, vendors will also be serving traditional Native American food together with standard fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs and barbe-
que. Hicks is looking forward to
eating fry bread as well as
Indian tacos.
“To make an Indian taco, you take a piece of fry bread and pile on chili, lettuce, tomatoes and salsa. It’s huge and delicious,” she says.
The Native Americans in attendance will also be honoring all American veterans at noon on Oct. 23 and 24 and 5 p.m. on Oct. 23.
“We will be asking all of the EMS, firemen, policemen and military veterans to come into a circle, and our dancers will perform around them. We honor our veterans at every Native American festival,” Hicks says.
The Pow Wow will take place on the soil that marks the beginning of the Trail of Tears, the thousand mile march in 1838 in which the U.S. government forcibly relocated thousands of Cherokee to the Western Unites States. Many Native Americans suffered from exposure, disease and starvation while traveling to their destination, and many died. Unlike that somber occasion, however, the Pow Wow will offer a lively celebration of the enduring Native American spirit.
In addition to enjoying the festivities, visitors will be able to explore the newly revamped walking trails at Red Clay and even camp overnight, although there will be no shower or electricity on hand. Hicks recommends visitors bring chairs, blankets and sunglasses, even if they plan to spend only a few hours at the festival.
“If you haven’t come to Red Clay in awhile, please attend the festival. The Friends of Red Clay have made a lot of improvements,” Hicks says.
General admission to the Pow Wow is $5 per vehicle. The Pow Wow will take place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 23 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 24. For hotel accommodations, call the Applegate Inn at 423-479-9915 and ask for the Red Clay Pow Wow rate. No alcohol or firearms will be allowed on the premises.
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