Story co- written and produced in collaboration with Morgan Miller and Garrett Readling.
Over 50 children dressed in their tear dresses and ribbon shirts came together dancing, singing and playing music produced by their elders in celebration of the Cherokee culture.
This year the youth Powwow was held for the first time at WCU on April 4 and over 240 people enjoyed the sounds and color of Cherokee culture.
The heritage and tradition of the Cherokee people permeates right underneath Western Carolina University’s ground. WCU’s 2017-18 interdisciplinary learning theme is “Cherokee: Community. Culture. Connections.”
This theme allows students, faculty and staff to dive in the Cherokee culture and have a better understanding. Other events on campus connected to the theme include: Tribe Called Red, Cherokee Tour, Cherokee Leadership and Cultural Perspective, Sculpture and Cherokee Language Symposium.
The children performing at the Powwow were from The Kituwah Academy, a multifaceted school for students from preschool to fifth grade. The academy was established by the Eastern Band to preserve the Cherokee language through the teaching of children.
The Cherokee powwow was hosted by WCU’s Cherokee Center, which was founded in 1975 to commit to serving tribal and non-tribal residents of Cherokee, NC (Qualla Boundary) and the surrounding communities. A number of events have been held on campus throughout the academic year to give students the learning experience of Cherokee culture, history and traditions.
Beth Johnson, was helping cook for the powwow as she has helped out in the past.
“Everyone in the family knows how to cook,” said Johnson.
In the tent that was set up outside in UC lawn people could taste what Johnson described as traditional Cherokee meal – bean-bread chicken, cabbage, potatoes and fatback.
“We want people to enjoy themselves, go watch the powwow and then come eat some traditional food,” said Johnson.
Other Native American tribes adopted the practice of the powwow and added their own traditions.
“Each culture of each tribe has different dances to share their beliefs and how we worship,” said Cynthia Toineeta, a volunteer setting up the meals.“Different tribes come together to share their dances; some are medicine dances and some are for celebration, passing of elders and new babies.”
Some of the powwow ceremonies conducted are celebrated in circle with tribal drums, dancing, food, chanting and traditional healing ceremonies.
See the video story on the powwow shot and produced by Morgan Miller.
