Drums along the Wallkill

This past weekend, July 8 and 9, county residents and visitors from all over had an opportunity to see not only relics of history, but also the very people who descend from it by attending the annual powwow organized by the Redhawk Native American Arts Council. The council is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1994 by Native Americans living in and around the New York metropolitan area both to preserve Native American culture and to educate the public about it. Traditionally, a powwow was the gathering of tribes for an exchange of goods, entertainment and good will. Over the course of thousands of years, the meaning of this word has changed little. Upon entering the grounds you could immediately hear traditional Native American song and dance. Tee-pees were erected, feathered head-dresses donned and the ancient spirit of merrymaking and excitement was a palpable presence in the air. The jubilee began around noon and lasted until seven on both Saturday and Sunday. The events included a great variety of native dancers who came from as far away as the Mexican domain of the Aztec and as near as the Allegany Iroquois to educate and entertain guests all throughout the day. At the beginning of the Aztec dance, the hosts explained that in the Native American tradition, people can say more through a dance than most other can with any language. There was story-telling, an ancient practice of Native Americans. Great birds of prey including falcons and hawks displayed the understanding Native American culture has with nature. Overall the powwow is designed to debunk the many myths surrounding ancient cultures, to show how the descendants of the continents original inhabitants still carry on their traditions, and together with all visitors to celebrate this earth we share.