A POWWOW IN BUTTE

What would you like to do on your birthday ? How often does a dear wife ask her husband this very question ?? Many of us are lucky to end up having a routine lunch, dinner or a show... But this particular year we were in America and I had been on the Internet before leaving England to see what was happening on my birthday. A few e-mails and faxes later we were set up for a day to remember. I awoke to lots of cards and presents and went for a hearty breakfast. Then we set out for Butte in Montana. Just as we arrived in the Car Park of the Public Center of Butte, my heart took a couple of extra beats. In front of me was a RED INDIAN !!!! He was entering the hall and we followed. I had to visit the loo and to my absolute surprise I found myself among even more Indians changing into very bright garments.. I mumbled a few "good mornings" and dashed out to find Carole. She laughed when I told her but her face changed when the aforesaid Indians came out of the loo and scowled at her. Then we ALL laughed together and they invited us to enter the arena. There were many more Indians getting ready for the PowWow and the "band" of drums was setting up their equipment in one corner. We took our seats, and waited patiently for the start of proceedings. The building was now full, the drums began to resound and the singers gave vent to the Indian songs. The POW WOW began with the GRAND PARADE with the whole group of participants stepping into the arena to the drum beats, the elders carrying the Stars and Stripes and the Native American flag. It was a wonderful sight to see everyone dressed in their finery. Many tribes were represented and this started the programme off with different tribes demonstrating their own style of dance, some imitating birds, animals and the like. A number of Indian drumming groups were present and again different styles were shown. Round the arena were stalls set up with Indian-made items for sale. At the break, we queued up for a free meal which majored on Buffalo meat which was like very rich tasting beef, beautifully cooked. Groaning after our meal we again sat enthralled at the sights and sounds which were so emotional. There was a short break for lunch but we were "warned" to keep space for the evening meal to come ! Some competitions were in the afternoon session and tribes challenged each other in dancing. The day came to an end with a final Grand Parade in which everyone participated. Now we were told to queue up for a free meal which majored on Buffalo meat plus masses of vegetables. My huge chunk of Buffalo was like very rich-tasting beef, beautifully cooked. Groaning after our meal we again sat enthralled at the sights and sounds which were so emotional. Then there was a series of prize-givings and we were surprised when over the Tannoy there was ".....and now we welcome our guests from England, Ian and Carole Huntly !!! " We were presented with gifts including special sweat-shirts to remind us of our visit and the audience clapped us as we went to the stage. We were part of only a small group that was not Native American but they made us all very welcome indeed... The proceedings then remembered the people who had passed on in the year since the previous Pow Wow.. It was very late when we thanked our hosts and returned to our hotel. A wonderful way to spend a birthday, thanks Carole.. SEE ALSO THE "GATHERING OF NATIONS" WEBSITE OR THE "POWWOW" WEBSITE BACK