The Jam Files #14.2 — “On the Powwow Trail Part II”

The second Powwow Weekend took us to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, more commonly known as the U.P., where the Yoopers put maple syrup in their coffee & the temperatures are always much cooler. This powwow was held in St. Ignace & was called the “Rendezvous at the Straits”. I was really looking forward to it as I hadn’t been in the U.P. in many years. We stopped at a couple beaches this trip as well, one in Charlevoix & one in Petoskey. There was much rock hunting & sage gathering done. At a playground, I even slid down a couple of slides, feeling like a child again & being continuously amazed at all I’m able to do now that the debilitating neuropathy pain seems to be a traumatic memory.

This trip I was able to meet some of my cousins’ kids: Aurora, Zoe, & Thomas, & they are so much fun & such a joy to be around. Because of a possible approaching storm that would make camping at the powwow grounds a drag, we somehow managed to fit eight people into a small hotel room in Mackinaw City conveniently located across the street from a casino. I love the art of “making do” & the stories that bloom from situations like that.

This powwow was a traditional powwow & much smaller than the Peshawbeston one. I felt a greater sense of unity there & the vibe felt more laid back. I dreamt of a little copper cup the week prior & I saw one for sale so I picked it up. I knew I needed it & it came to me. There was a lot of artwork for sale at this powwow too. I think my husband was very inspired by that. He’s been painting quite a bit since we moved here & hopefully he will have an opportunity to sell some of his work very soon.

After Grand Entry, the kids wanted to go out to the arena & dance an intertribal dance & I thought that was really cool. I kept telling my Uncle how I couldn’t stop crying since I’ve been home & cried during Grand Entry at the last powwow. “If I go out there during the Veteran’s Song are you going to cry?” he asked me. “Well, duh.” That’s a given. It was neat to listen to the little ones learning about medicine & why regalia is not called a costume. I shared some Ojibwe words I knew & my Uncle taught me how to make a dreamcatcher. I need practice, but I brought one home to work with. I believe I can get better at making my webs more uniform.

My Uncle took the kids out during a spot dance & while the rest of us were at the booth we heard an announcement that “Thomas won the spot dance!” “What?!” my cousin & I exclaimed. “I think Thomas just won!” Sure enough, he did. 95 bucks & it couldn’t have gone to a more worthy recipient. “I think I might get a job now,” he told me later. “What?! Why?” I asked. “You just won some money!” “Well, now I can get more,” he said. Maybe that old capitalism is ingrained in all of us. haha

We had to cross the good ole’ Mackinac Bridge (aka: “The Mighty Mac”) twice a day & I remembered how my Grandma never liked that bridge. I made the mistake of mentioning the scene from that movie “The Mothman Prophecies” while my cousin was cruising over it. “I try not to think of that & you had to go & mention it!” she yelled through nervous laughter. We made it safely of course, & right when you enter the U.P. there’s a giant 30 foot long hot dog atop of a restaurant called “Weinerlicious”. “Jackson’s going to text me about that, watch…” I said. He loves hot dogs. A few seconds later the text comes through. “Did you see that giant hot dog?!” We had ourselves some smaller & edible versions eventually & they were delicious.

On Sunday, the kids wanted to dance some more. I even went out there & kept telling Thomas “I am not a good dancer.” I did my best though & was very impressed that the little one was so much better than I am. My Uncle did dance during the Veteran’s Song. His ribbon shirt hanging up in the booth was a good sign to me that it was going to happen, & yes I did cry. We all shook hands with the veterans & I gave my Uncle a big hug. I felt very proud once again to be in the family that I am in. We’re big, scattered, & complicated at times, but the love runs deep through all of our veins.

The weather wasn’t nearly as hot as the Peshawbeston weekend & I was glad for that. Since my moving truck had finally arrived I was very happy to be able to wear my ribbon skirt that I purchased years ago with the hope that I would be able to wear it to a powwow eventually. I even got my face painted along with the kids & the artist was amazing. She painted a really cool dreamcatcher on my face & later that night at a casino stop a casino worker complimented me on it. I had some excellent frybread & manoomin (wild rice) at this powwow too.

At the end of the powwow, there were gifts given to everyone. I chose a book about “The First Mothers of Mackinac Island” that I had been eyeing at one of the vendor booths. A dancer asked me about it & showed me he had chosen a copy of “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee”. “Oh, I read that one!” I said. “Me too,” he said. “Dozens of times. But now I have a new copy.” We smiled at each other & shook hands.

Later at the casino my husband kept noting that “so many people are talking to you. Every time I can’t find you, you’re talking to a stranger.” “It’s cuz Indians always talk to other Indians & I’m obvious here & in my powwow threads.” I laughed. Again, it’s because I’m home. People actually talk to people here. I don’t feel like I have to keep my eyes down & avoid others. It’s a good feeling. Just like the good feelings I have when I’m around my family & especially at a powwow.

I’m so glad to have been able to attend not just one, but two. I may even hit up another one later this month. I’ll see if it’s possible. I’d love to get to every one I’m able to.

We’re having a couple of hot days here in Traverse City. I spent some time over at my brother’s house the last couple of days, but I need to rest a bit & get some chores done. I need to be out of the sun for a bit. I’m still getting the sun rashes when I stay out for too long, but they’re not as bad thankfully. Cooler temps are coming & I plan to go out birding again on Friday. I read “Birding While Indian” by Thomas C. Gannon & it really inspired me to take up the hobby. I even attended an online Zoom class taught by an Ojibwe guy & with the help of the Merlin ID app I’ve been able to identify a lot of species out on my Boardman Loop Trail walks. Fall migration is here so I might get to see all kinds of birds as they pass through here. Sunday, we’re going to take our new e-bikes out & do the whole Boardman Loop & hit up a brewery across the lake with my brother & his family. I’ve been going all over on that e-bike. It’s restoring a lot of that freedom I lost when epilepsy caused me to have to stop driving 15 years ago. I have wheels again & I can’t stop wanting to zoom around everywhere.

A friend told me recently “You’re living your best life!” I do believe that to be true. Every morning I have coffee on my porch & look around at the trees, birds, squirrels, & even some pesky mosquitoes & still think I’m in a good dream. I pinch myself & realize “Nah. You’re just here.” & let me tell you, right here is the best possible place for me to be.

Click HERE to check out my family’s shop, Native Blend LLC!
Photos by Jackson Patino & special thanks to the passing local who offered to take a pic of Jackson & I with a view of the “Mighty Mac” in the background.