Up to 8,000 people from all over the world descend on Lake Shawnee every year, and will again for the 20th year in a row September 3, 4 and 5 for the Shawnee County Allied Tribes’ Inter-Tribal Pow Wow. It attracts attendees from local regions as close as Oklahoma, Nebraska and Missouri and from as far away as Germany, Belgium, England and Japan.

Still, for as huge a draw both locally and internationally, there are many in Topeka who aren’t familiar with the event.

“What’s the Inter-Tribal Pow Wow?” asked Joe Anderson, a life-long Topeka resident. “I haven’t heard of it.”

Anderson was enthusiastic about the gathering and wanted to learn more. Other residents wondered if the pow wow was open to the public.

Hildred Vilander, President of the Shawnee County Allied Tribes and Mike Ballard, the organization’s Treasurer, made it clear that everyone was welcome and invited to come.

“This pow wow is open to the general public,” said Ballard. “We want them to come in and be educated and feel comfortable in being there. We want everybody to come and enjoy it with us.”

The pow wow is about relationships and sharing with one another. It’s presented in a laid-back and family-oriented manner. For instance, buttons which are on sale now for $6 at Dillon Stores, Wolfe’s Camera and Computers, Mike’s IGA, Topeka City Employee Credit Union, and the Hy Vee Store, are good for all weekend and free for those 11-years-old and under. Friday morning is an education day for area third graders and the regular pow wow begins Friday evening. There are food and craft booths, education seminars for the general public and, of course, dancing.

The dancing will inspire mental pictures of brilliant, vivid regalia, but it is very important to realize the difference between regalia and costumes. Regalia is passed down as part of the Native American culture, shared Lloyde Dubry, a local competitive Fancy Dancer.

“It’s regalia,” said Dubry. “A costume is a Halloween thing. Usually each person or a family member makes their own regalia. It’s best to do your own regalia because it adds your own personal touch to it.”

The regalia, dancing, singing and virtually every component of the pow wow has a spiritual aspect to it, so be sure to pick up a program to understand proper pow wow etiquette. For instance, if you are watching dancing from outside the arena, chances are it’s fine to snap a picture of an activity inside the arena, but if you would like to take pictures of an individual, ask. “You need to address the person and ask if you can ask questions and ask if you can take pictures. It’s proper etiquette,” said Dubry.

The pow wow has its historic roots as a gathering of tribes and clans (or bands). Shawnee County Allied Tribe’s gathering brings another opportunity for community building.

“It’s just like a big family reunion, said Vilander. “We get to meet people, the babies that we haven’t seen and we learn who’s not here anymore.”
The Inter-Tribal Pow Wow is a traditional pow wow.

“A traditional pow wow is where everybody comes and dances because we want to celebrate life,” said Mike Ballard. “In a contest pow wow, the dancer is there trying to get money through their regalia and dancing ability.”

Ballard shared that the Shawnee County Allied Tribes started as a drug and alcohol prevention group in the late 1980’s and had a pow wow tied into Railroad Days. After being unable to find an arrangement that satisfied the needs of both groups, they parted ways amicably, but this was not the end of the Inter-Tribal Pow Wow, it was only the beginning.

About 1990, the president of the Shawnee County Allied Tribes asked Ballard to help bring back the Pow Wow. They gathered support and volunteers from Westar Energy, the telephone company, the Shawnee County Commissioners and the city of Topeka.

“The first year, we didn’t think anybody would come so we decided our committee would just go out and have a dance,” said Ballard. “The day came and people just showed up from everywhere.”

Potawatomi showed up, Kickapoo showed up, Sac and Fox, Iowas, Cherokees, so we knew we had a good thing. It was all the volunteers coming together. All these people wanted something to happen. The timing was just right for it.”

The Shawnee County Allied Tribes Mission Statement is: “To perpetuate the heritage of the Native American Indian by promoting greater understanding and appreciation of Native American Indian history, culture, lore and art. We are dedicated to making a difference. We do not discriminate as to national origin, sex, race, religion, color or handicap.”

That mission statement is reflected in the dances where anyone is invited to come dance.

“You’d be surprised,” said Hildred Vilander. “A lot of the children come for that.”

The dances aren’t taught in a formal way.

“It’s just like walking,” said Galen Hubbard, a Gourd Dancer, a Southern Straight Dancer and a singer and drummer. “You’ve got to get out there and try.”

Miriam Hubbard, Galen’s daughter adds, “Usually kids start dancing when they start walking. We call them tiny tots. When they call tiny tots, the kids come out. There are even babies who their parents dress up and bring out.”

To learn more about Shawnee County Allied Tribes, as well as the Inter-Tribal Pow-Wow and the weekend’s schedule, please visit www.shawneecountyalliedtribes.org.

[ seveneightfive Sept 1 – Oct 15 | Macie Smith | photos by Colin MacMillan / Nathan Ham Photography]