“Just seeing their dances and having them teach them to us was a fun experience,” she said. Visitors filtered in and out of the pow wow throughout the two-day event, making it impossible to determine how many spectators attended.Ĭhris MacMillan of Stroudsburg said she enjoyed the event and learned a lot about Native Americans. The songs primarily consisted of chanting and/or songs in native tongue. Several controlled the tempo with animal skin drums. Leading the singing were six men and one woman who called themselves the Gray Cloud Singers. His message is more spiritual at the events. He said the tribal elders invited him to participate in the pow wow. One of the individuals who commanded a lot of attention for his attire was Ernie “Strong Bear” Beltz of Lancaster. Most history books are written one-sided and sometimes have false information. The only history native people have is what is passed down from generations, he said. He said, “We want to make people understand we don’t live in teepees, we don’t drive horses except for recreation.” “It’s important to educate nonnative people that native people are still here, but we live like everybody else,” he said. The two attend about 15 to 20 pow wows a year, Matthew said. He said Elsipogtog means “sacred fire” in his native tongue. Matthew, of the Mi’kmaq Tribe in Canada, was raised on the Elsipogtog Reservation in Canada. They initially met each other at a pow wow about 15 years ago. The two moved to Weatherly about six years ago. Food and drinks also were sold.Īmong those were Matthew “White Eagle” Clair and his wife, Chris “Mourning Dove” Clair of Weatherly. In addition, there were stands in which you could purchase Native American jewelry, artwork, dream catchers and other objects relevant to their heritage. The spectators were encourage to participate in the dances, held inside a circular, roped area. featuring Native Americans who put on display their traditions, culture and attire.ĭozens of Native Americans attended the pow wow and entertained curious spectators with singing, chanting and original dancing. It was a pow wow, held Saturday and Sunday at Mauch Chunk Lake Park. It was a party atmosphere with a lot of song and dance, but not the kind of song and dance you’ll find at a night club or sock hop.
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