Discover Native America Pow-Wow & Music Festival

By Elgin Jumper

TAMPA — When they occur, successful comebacks are always a good thing. And the Discover Native America Pow-Wow & Music Festival, held in Tampa at the Florida State Fairgrounds’ Entertainment Hall — located next to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino — Nov. 16-18, was definitely a clear success.

The gates opened at 9 a.m. each morning and closed at 10 p.m. nightly. This much-needed pow-wow was organized by Frank Moore Jr., Ciara Billie-Guerue, Wanda Bowers, Christine McCall, Britney Yescas and Oliver Wareham, among others.

“They were all a big help, a big part of the success,” said Moore Jr. “The [Tribal] Council was happy, and they want us to do it again next year.”

Seminole Tribal leaders who attended this immensely important event were: Chairman Mitchell Cypress, President Richard Bowers, Hollywood Council Rep. Max B. Osceola Jr., Big Cypress Council Rep. David Cypress, Brighton Council Rep. Roger Smith, Trail Liaison William Osceola and Big Cypress Board Rep. Cicero Osceola.

“We had a really good turnout,” explained Moore Jr. “We had approximately 10,000 people who attended over the three days. So we’re really happy. We had over 600 children … six schools attending.”

Educating the crowds about Native America was one of the prime motivations at stake here. Working diligently in a group effort, organizers brought the DNA Pow-Wow & Music Festival together, and superbly carried the event through to its triumphant conclusion. There was some exceptional competition to boot, that is, a Native American Dance Contest, with more than $100,000 in prize money, and a Native American Drum Contest, with some $30,000 in prize money.

The announcers for the occasion were: Dale Oldhorn of the Crow Agency, Montana, along with Lawrence Baker from North Dakota. The drum judge was Wayne Silas Jr., while the dance judge was Jonathan Windy Boy, whereas arena director duties were accomplished by Duane Whitehorse. The host of the Northern Drum was High Noon of Alberta, Canada, and the host of the Southern Drum was Scissortail from Shawnee, Okla.

Native American food, arts and craft vendors galore, and long lines were rather prevalent throughout the entire three day event.

“We invited vendors from last year’s Tribal Fair; Natives from all over the country,” said Moore Jr. “The Native American bands who performed on the Seminole Hard Rock stage, emceed by Junior Battiste, were Martha Redbone, and Derek Miller, and the Blackhawk Blues Band.”

Tribal citizen Spencer Battiest gave an impressive rendition of the National Anthem, as moving tributes were bestowed on the men and women of the U.S. military. The much-venerated Seminole Color Guard, whose members on this occasion included: Steven Bowers, Ted Nelson, and Paul Bowers, were also on hand. Tampa community member Bobby Henry graciously delivered prayers and blessed the grounds, insuring the event would be carried off with flying colors.

The DNA dancers were out in full-force. The Seminole, Aztec and Anikituhwa dancers, among others, gave powerful performances every single time, while the sound of the drums and singing reverberated throughout the Entertainment Hall. And outside, on the Seminole Hard Rock Stage, flute player Sonny Nevaquaya, delivered brilliant performances. Nevaquaya is part Commanche/Chickasaw/Choctaw from Apache, Okla.

One particular song written by Nevaquaya is entitled, “Vietnam, Why Did You Take My Only Son?” and was first performed in 1986 at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, DC.

“I think the turnout is really nice, with the schools and the young kids,” said Nevaquaya. “And there seems to be more and more people coming in all the time.”

“We worked with MacDill Air Force Base on doing a school program for them over there, and that gave us the idea,” said Moore Jr. “We just wanted to acknowledge them and show them some respect for what they’re doing. We had other Tribal veterans there. The Seminole Color Guard and all the councilmen participated. They were there for all the grand entries.”

Major Native American events such as these have traditionally been multi-colored affairs, sacred, immersed in Native ways, and this one was no exception. From the feathers, the beads, the ribbons, the people, the drums and songs and the rest of the stunning regalia, it was an unforgettable scene of thrilling native sound, overpowering motion and amazing color, to be sure.

“The pow-wow was great for us,” said Oliver Wareham, who was also involved in the pre-planning. “It helps bring our communities together. We all come together, and we’re one.”

Moore, Jr. also referring to the substantial benefits gleaned from such a worthy enterprise, affirmed: “It just gives us a reason to be proud. We’ve got a lot to be proud of. It exposes us to more tribes. Plus the community, the Tampa area, they love pow-wows. We’re hoping to make it an annual event. The chairman wants to make it annual event, the council agreed. Plus, working with MacDill Air Force Base, we’re also hoping to put together a traveling program.”

“I love the pow-wow,” declared Tony Dees, personal trainer to the chairman. “It’s the first one I’ve ever attended. It’s really exciting, electric! I didn’t know the variations of dances that they had. It’s really enjoyable.”

As were various other Tribal leaders, Chairman Mitchell Cypress presence was quite visible during the pow-wow.

“Next year we’re hoping to promote the event even more so that even more people will come out and learn about our DNA Pow-Wow & Music Festival, and our native ways,” he said. “So I think this is very educational for non-Native Americans, and also for the different Tribes who attend.”