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It gets bigger and better every year.
And in 2009, the First Nations Intertribal Powwow returns across the canal to the Skenesborough Park with more drums, more vendors and more attractions.
“Every year this gets bigger,” said Barbara Flayter, who organized the event along with Frank Kingsley. “We get requests on the Internet from people from all over. We have had people here from as far away as Canada and this year we know that there will be people here from Canada, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts.”
The powwow will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9, with events starting at sunrise and running throughout the day at the Skenesborough Canal Park. The grounds will be open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday.
“It’s going back to the park, so we are thankful for that,” said Flayter. “There will be a lot of items and a lot of entertainment this year.”
The host drum for the event will be the Turtle Drum Singers, who will be joined by three other guest drums, including Red Hawk Medicine and Red Clover Drum and Spirit of the Winds.
“Our host drum is a really good group,” said Flayter.
Along with the drums, there will also be a youth Native America dance group.
“They will be coming to showcase Native American Dancing from the Swanton, Vt. Area,” said Kingsley.
Rick Hunt will return to the powwow as the fire keeper, and his work will start early.
“He will start at sunrise on Saturday with a special offering and prayer,” said Flayter. “That will be at about 5:30 or 6 a.m., and everyone is invited to attend.”
Jim Thorpe will also be returning to the event, carving yet again with his chainsaw.
“Jim will be doing some carvings, including one that will be raffled off at the end of the weekend,” said Kingsley.
“We will have several other things that will be raffled off as well,” said Flayter. “Serena Kovalosky also donated a dream-catcher to be raffled off.”
New to the powwow in 2009 will be the Tundra Spirits Huskey rescue group.
“They will have demonstrations in the afternoons after the grand entry,” said Flayter.
There will be a pair of storytellers at the powwow, including Grandmother Coyote and Carolyn Black.
“Grandmother Coyote is a very well known storyteller that will be coming,” said Kingsley.
There will also be music by Bob Marcotte and vendors throughout both days.
“This year, we have about 14 vendors,” said Flayter.
Grand entry will be at noon on both days of the powwow, and admission to the events is free.
For more information on the First Nations Intertribal Powwow, Gathering of Spirits in Whitehall on Aug. 8 and 9, call 499-2435.
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