This weekend I attended the annual Labor Day Powwow in Wellpinit, Washington.
During Grand Entry, the drum beat filled the air and hundreds of dancers surrounded me on all sides. No matter how many times I dance, I'm always amazed by the power of that moment. Every Grand Entry feels like a victory in its own right - a powerful declaration that we as Indian people are still here.
The young people led Grand Entry during one of the sessions and reminded of the words my elders gave me a few years ago:
We are Indian people.
pentč u qe lʔe. pentč u qeqs lʔehi.
We have always been here. We will always be here.
This post moves me in many ways. I am glad mostly!
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