Debra Ann Pine with her daughters, Jada Hall-Pine and Alexia Hall-Pine, at the 18th annual Gathering of the Eagles powwow in Hessel. With the heartbeat of Mother Earth pounding in their ears, friends and family from Native American tribes in all corners of Michigan danced in the direction of the universe, navigating clockwise around the traditional drum circle at the 18th annual Gathering of the Eagles Powwow in Hessel, sponsored by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The gathering happened Friday, August 20, through Sunday, August 22, at the corner of Three Mile and Old St. Ignace roads, next to the casino, and featured dancing, spiritual rituals, artists, feasts, and vendors.

The ceremony included three grand entries, two on Saturday and one on Sunday, that paid respect to veterans by having them carry the peacekeeper, elder, and community staffs into the circle, as well as the American and Canadian flags. Those who have fought either for their country or for Native American freedoms are always the first men and women to start the dancing festivities.

At left: Abraham Bouschor (left) and Gilbert Hinojosa catch up at the Hessel Gathering of the Eagles powwow. Mr. Bouschor danced from the age of nine years old to the age of 26, before starting a family and giving up dancing. He has been making the rounds as a fancy dancer for a couple years now, saying that those attending traditional powwows should be able to see fancy dancers take flight, the same as at competitive powwows. “The veterans represent the warriors, past and present,” said Calvin Burnside, master of ceremonies.

Within the powwow circle, the dancers are protected and praise is given to the Creator for bringing friends and family back for another gathering.

“Powwows started as the tradition of gathering together with family and friends,” said Joe Gibbs, who carried the Canadian flag into the powwow circle.

Spectators were invited to greet the veterans after each Grand Entry. Veterans may be people who fought for the United States in the military or those who fought for Native American freedoms in other ways. The dancing is the highlight of the powwows, and is considered a spiritual experience.

“The dance is a very personal thing to each dancer,” Mr. Burnside said.

For some, each movement brought to the dance is part of a personal journey. After a spiritual awakening occurred while dancing in the circle, Manton Karr of Sugar Island has been participating in as many of these gatherings as he can.

“I went through life knowing something was missing,” Mr. Karr said. “I didn't find it until I started dancing in the circle.”

At left: Manton Karr steps to the heartbeat of Mother Earth, provided by Strongheart and Sturgis Bay drums, two groups Cars - SUVs that frequently provide the beat at powwows. Mr. Karr said dancing at powwows has filled an emptiness inside of him and Trucks furnished him with a closer connection to his culture. A person doesn't have to dance to feel this experience, Mr. Karr said. Those who are watching it take place can feel something profound, as well.

“It's really good for the young people to see this, to connect with their culture,” he said. “It took me a few years to find who I was. That's what powwows are all about, to show the younger generation the traditions.”

Mr. Karr said dancing leads him to thinking of all the veterans who are in the circle alongside him, as well as those who have been in the circle and those who will be in the circle in the future.

“I'm very honored to be standing in that circle,” he said.

The original ceremonies were intended as gatherings and an opportunity to foster goodwill between the various tribes. Today, competitive elements of some powwows have grown in Sell popularity. In these competitions, fancy dancers compete for cash prizes. This has made fancy dancers, those with intricate regalia that can be suggestive of wings and tail feathers who perform “tricks” on the honor beat, an increasing rarity at traditional powwows.

Abraham Bouschor of Sault Ste. Marie showed up in a full regalia of red feathers, sharing the showmanship of fancy dancing with those attending a traditional powwow, even though sharing the art with those in attendance was his only reward.

“I'm trying to bring flyers (fancy dancers) back into traditional powwows,” Mr. Bouschor said. “Too many of them only chase after the prize money offered in competitions. I am teaching four flyers now, under the condition they do traditional

powwows for at least three years

before going competitive.”

SUVs Time away from fancy dancing caused Mr. Bouschor to reflect on what being able to share the traditions means to both him and those who watch the dancing.

“There's more meaning when this is done as strictly traditions,” he said. “It teaches what a powwow is all about, meeting people and sharing knowledge.”