“What it really is is bringing together the local Native American tribal community with anyone else who wants to come,” said Biidaaban Reinhardt, powwow promotional committee leader. “That’s really what the ‘learning to walk together’ part is. It’s a way of inviting the public to learn about our culture.”

In an effort to welcome more people to the event, Reinhardt said they made it free to the public. She estimated that 600 to 700 natives, community members, students and volunteers gathered for the event.

The central Upper Peninsula location of the event drew tribal members from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Bay Mills Indian Community, Hannahville Indian Community of Escanaba and the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

“Even if someone doesn’t come to the powwow,” said Reinhardt, “People hear about it, they see our signs … By us making this powwow and promoting it, it’s reminding people that we are still here, our culture is alive, it’s strong, and it gets people to ask questions … It gets people to recognize us … and maybe once they find out that then they want to learn more, they want to get involved, maybe volunteer next year.”

Mia Goggleye, left, helps Leon Chosa, both of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, prepare for the 25th annual "Learning to Walk Together" Powwow Saturday. (Journal photo by Rachel Oakley)

Of those present at this year’s event, Reinhardt estimated there were around 80 volunteers, some who were students and many who were community members interested in learning from the participants at the event.

“On one hand it’s actually learning about the culture, the language, songs, drums, food and things like that,” said Reinhardt. “But it’s also learning what it takes to put on a powwow. It takes a lot of work by a lot of people.”

Reinhardt summed up the goal of promoting educational events celebrating native heritage: “We want people to come to a powwow, but mainly we want people to learn about us and respect that this is our traditional homeland and respect our language and culture as well.”

As a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Reinhardt added a personal note.

“For me, as a native person, the powwow is a time when — it’s a feeling of connection, a feeling of your family coming home. Just feeling the drum and seeing the dancing and being a part of that … it makes me feel whole again. We’re out of winter, we’re into spring, it’s a good feeling.”

Rachel Oakley can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243.