ISHPEMING — The upcoming Jiikakamiigad Powwow is currently in search of sponsors and volunteers to help make the event a success.

The first annual powwow will take place on Sept. 21 at Lake Bancroft Park. Vendors will be selling their wares from 12 to 7 p.m., with drumming and dancing taking place from 2 to 4 p.m. Indigenous rock band Waawiyeyaa will be performing from 4 to 7 p.m.

Sarah Garver, President of the Ishpeming Powwow Committee and an Anishinaabe tribal member with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, explained that her idea for the powwow stemmed from wanting to promote an understanding and representation of Native cultures in the community.

“Ever since I lived here and I got to learn about the history about Ishpeming and how it means higher grounds, close to heaven in Ojibwe, I have slowly met other Ojibwe people here as (I’ve) been here longer and I wanted to get the heritage,” said Garver.

The event will include traditional dancing, drumming, food, storytelling and educational opportunities, directed at bringing the community together in a celebration of Native heritage.

“What I want is for Ishpeming community members and residents and tourists and business owners and organizations to see with their own eyes what a powwow can do for them, seeing it firsthand,” Garver said. “We’re bringing our culture and there’s meanings to dances, like the jingle dress and why women wear jingle dresses. There’s men’s traditional dancers and why do men dance and why do we dance in a circle? We’re going to storytell at this powwow and (show) why these women and men and children wear what they wear, and why we have a powwow. That’s what a powwow means. I think that’s important.”

The powwow is free to attend and the public is welcome. People are asked to bring their own chairs, and this is a drug and alcohol free event.

A minimum sponsor contribution of $50 will help cover costs such as performers, venue setup, cultural workshops and outreach materials. Sponsors will be recognized at the event, on printed materials and on social media.

If you are interested in providing monetary donations, serving as a sponsor, volunteering at the powwow or looking for more information, contact Sarah Garver at 906-395-1349 or garver20@gmail.com.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.