OLD POST FROM SEPTEMBER 2002 - POW WOW ON THE MALL

As I have mentioned before, I enjoy going through our old photos, and found these on the blog I closed a few years ago.  For some reason, and I still have no idea why, people were having trouble downloading that old blog, so I made the decision to close it and start fresh with this one.  I also had to buy a new laptop and the time just seemed to be right to start fresh.  

I actually started blogging in April of 2008, and started this one right at the end of 2015.  I might repeat posts that I did on the old blog, every now and again.  I have already shared photos from those archives.

Going back to September 2002, we found out about the Pow Wow.  It was to celebrate the building of The National Museum of the American Indian, and was taking place nearby on the Mall.

It was an exciting event and as I have been interested in learning all about different cultures since I was a little girl, I could not wait to go into the city over the weekend. We don't live that far away from our Nation's Capital as the crow flies.

I took these photos from my seat. (I don't normally show children's faces on here, but as this was taken 12 years ago, I figured their features are totally different now all these years later).  It was very hot that day and several people left the tent before it started. There was no way that I was going to miss such a wonderful event, and I watched as the big tent filled with people who were going to participate in the Pow Wow. I spotted this darling little girl and her brother. She was doing a superb job of looking after him, and later on I saw her getting ready for her part in the Pow Wow.

There were whole families involved and the traditional clothing was quite spectacular.

This revered gentleman with his grandson was being honored for service to his country as a Navaho Code Talker during WWII.

Here a grandfather and grandson were waiting to perform in their tribe's drum circle. 

And I can't tell you enough how much I appreciated this experience.  And so I watched and waited and took photographs of people getting ready. 

I count at least three camera's in this shot.  There was a young lady taking a movie of the audience. 

And so it began.

 

The traditional clothing was intricate, colorful, incredible, beautiful, unique.  

Wallace Coffey of the Comanche, with actor and folk singer Floyd Red Crow Westerman, from the Lakota Sioux (sadly, since I wrote this post, he passed on in December 2007). As well as being seen in various roles on the big screen and TV, Mr. Westerman is also a fierce advocate of Native American rights and is a leader in the North American Indian Movement. I am very familiar with this exceptionally talented actor, as I grew up watching movies he took part in on our British TV, and have to say it was a thrill to see him within camera range.

Wallace Coffey has served as Masters of Ceremonies for Pow Wows and Indian cultural events for well over 35 years. 

What an incredible day and one that I wouldn't have missed for the world.

A great memory now and I hope you have enjoyed the revisit.  Enjoy your day and thank you for looking.