Upper Mattaponi Tribal Pow-Wow

A few weeks ago I went with my friend Kelly to the Upper Mattaponi Tribal Pow-Wow. I meant to write about it at the time but between my job search, my recent graduation and my plans to move away from Richmond, the entry got put on the back burner.

So here I am, weeks later, trying to remember the things that I thought were most interesting. Looking at the tribe's website, I think that their words sum it up best. "Honor the past, Imagine the future." Both in dress and in feel, the Pow-Wow was a study in thoughtful evolution.


I heard people point out that regalia changes such as biker shorts and CDs tied to sleeves to catch the sunlight seemed a bit too modern for their taste. I disagree. Like everyone else, Native American people live in a modern world. A Pow-Wow is not a re-enactment of previous Indian culture, but a gathering for the present group. We were treated to prayers, thoughts, rallying cries and celebratory speeches -- all of which focused on keeping their heritage in today's world. If there were a gathering for descendants of white families who followed their Manifest Destiny West, I doubt they would wear the same clothing as the outfits worn on the Oregon trail.

I guess that however inarticulately I've said it, my points are these:

1. Tradition is not static
2. Adaptation allows for survival
3. We can remember and respect the past without repeating it