Powwow a dying ceremony

If you are an Elder and are, or have been following the Pow wow circuit,

you know what I am talking about.

Gatherings, Pow wows and Paw-paus have been used as the Circle of Life,

since before we were even able to record them.

Gatherings were are and will always be, held often to help people keep in touch.

Pow wows are relatively a new comers to Indigenous people, many are still

working out the kinks and doing a terrible job at this.

The last few years, or so, Pow wows have dwindled down drastically, walk around some,

or better yet, just check them out on the Internet, U-Tube or do both.

If you have a lot of money to pay dancers, and/or hold paid competitions,

of course if you do this, then they are no longer Pow wows, they are a Circus,

you will get a lot of people coming, but they are looking for their share of the money.

Just in my lifetime, I have noticed the lack of people and energy.

My first Pow wow was a Paw-paus at the age of six and I was overwhelmed with everything.

Every Traditional first person from around New England, knows about, has been to,

and will continue to enjoy Paw-paus and know why it is as with a Sacred Ceremony

guarded as well, if not better, than the Plains Indians Ghost Dance and Sundance.

Paw-paus is for at least a week, and always has something going on,

with many dancers that start in the circle and end all around the grounds.

It is free to get in, free to dance and free to vendors.

Everyone brings something to share.

Remember the old saying, "everything is a free gift from Creator?"

It is because of this, that Indigenous People are always gifting.

However, before even starting any gathering, Pow wow or Paw-paus,

we had to invite one guest, this is and was a must

and always looked forward to by everyone.

This is now almost an afterthought at Pow wows today.

We must invite Creator first.

Do not make another move about your gathering or Pow wow until every member

knows that Creator has accepted your invitation.

Once you get this, everything else will fall into place,

if you just keep remembering your first guest.

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