Native American powwow: 'It's all about our history. It's all about our friendship'

In September, I attended the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia 2023 Powwow at the Surry County Community Center. The festive two-day gathering showcases Native American culture and dance.

A sage aroma filled the air while I browsed Native American jewelry, art, knives, crafts, clothing, dolls, toys, moccasins, feather hair clips, etc. The most memorable vendor was Wendell Guss who resembles Grizzly Adams. His wares included beaver, bobcat, opossum, skunk, otter, coyote, fox, muskrat and raccoon pelts. I also checked out some interesting, educational exhibits.

Anthony Haskett of Surry purchased 6-year-old Raven Childress a bow and arrow at the powwow. With Haskett's blessing, he was a good sport and struck a pose for me. "This is our third year. I like the educational aspect of it," Haskett said. "Raven loves to learn about Native American culture."

Before the Grand Entry began, Lynette Lewis Allston, Chief of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, welcomed the crowd.

"I hope you left your worries at the gate. Once you come in here, this is a place of solace, contentment, friendship and just having a wonderful day," Allston said. "We're happy to have you here."

Allston thanked the Surry County Board of Supervisors for inviting the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia in 2007 to host a powwow.

"We thought it was a one-time thing, but here we are in 2023. We're still coming back to this beautiful, beautiful area where our ancestors used to cross the James to go to the other side to Jamestown," Allston said. "It's all about our history. It's all about our friendship."

During the Grand Entry to the beat of Host Drum Yapatoko, Nottoway Indian tribe of Virginia veterans led a parade of dancers around the dance arena aka "the circle." It was an amazing sight. I became quite snap-happy to capture the elaborate and colorful array of dance regalia.

I couldn't help but admire Annette Price's regalia adorned with beautiful butterflies. The Henrico resident of the Monacan-Cherokee often wears regalia with butterflies and hummingbirds.

"My butterfly represents flight, movement and color in nature," Price said. "The butterflies I have are very personal to me, and I also use them with my fancy shawl regalia."

Price is the curator of the Wolf Creek Cherokee Museum and Tribal Center located in Henrico. It is open to the public on Saturdays from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Visitors are invited to stop by to watch drum practice which features Cherokee and other songs on the third Tuesday of the month from 6 - 7:30 p.m.

After we had our picture taken together, Price highly encouraged me to participate in the intertribal dance. I entered the arena filled with people from all walks of life. With our hands joined, we joyfully moved to the heartbeat of the drum. The experience was exhilarating. It seemed as if my troubles faded away for this special moment in time. I will savor the delicious slice of life for years to come.

Kara Walsh of Richmond believes the intertribal dance was a great way for her children to experience Native American culture. "It was fun, and I learned the moves," 10-year-old Hailey May Walsh said.

Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia: 'Beautiful experience'

I fluttered here and there and struck up conversations with many peeps. I met a fellow Iowa native Stephanie Wright of Virginia Beach. She was invited to the powwow by her friend Yvette Williams of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia.

"This is a beautiful experience. I love it! I think it's important that people continue to remember their heritage and educate others which is what's happening today," Wright, the first Black assistant U.S. attorney for Northern District of Iowa, said.

I also met journalist Vincent "Vince" Schilling who loves to share Native American culture. The USA TODAY correspondent borrowed the microphone from the Master of Ceremonies Rufus "Rick" Kelly to speak to the crowd.

"I call this powwow a powwow of healing and that is real, real stuff. My great grandfather was a medicine man, and healing is a big part of our Native American culture. This powwow is absolutely healing," Schilling of the Akwesasne Mohawk, Native Viewpoint website creator and editor, said. "I encourage you to sit and feel that healing energy and allow it to help you if you're struggling with anything. Because I'm telling you, the energy of people here today will help you."

Staunton-based biz at Surry powwow

A man wearing a Virginia Public Media [VPM] cap who was capturing scenes during the Grand Entry caught my eye. I spoke with Lysandra Petersson, a Shenandoah Valley native, who appeared to be part of the crew. The film writer, producer, editor informed me that Staunton-based Deep Structure Productions was present to film the veterans participating in the powwow.

"We produce 'Life in the Heart Land' for VPM. The new episodes will air next year on television. The Season 1 episodes are currently available to watch on the PBS app or by visiting VPM's website," Petersson said. "We cover all kinds of topics, from food access to restorative justice to migrant workers, etc. Any topics that intersect with the rural experience."

Native American Heritage Month

Did you know November is Native American Heritage Month? I highly recommend the Native-directed series Native America. If you missed the first season on TV, it can be viewed on streaming devices or at pbs.org. The second season which premiered on October 24 is also available to stream. Visit vpm.org to view a TV schedule to watch the 60-minute episodes.

To find powwows and Native American events near you, visit powwows.com. For more information about the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, visit nottowayindians.org. Read this story at Progress-Index.com to view video footage and a gallery of the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia 2023 Powwow.

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— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.

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This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Native American powwow: Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia in Surry