I was a Pow Wow virgin

By Andrew Fish

Until last Saturday night, I was a Pow Wow virgin. I've always wanted to go a Pow Wow but for various reasons, never have. There was the trip my buddy Bob had planned to the '98 Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque that fell through because of work schedules and strangely enough, El Ni-o weather. More recently I made plans to attend the Arizona State University Pow Wow and once again, work intervened and cancelled those plans. Looking back, I think I'm glad neither of those were my first Pow Wows.

The reason for that is simple: my first Pow Wow was the graduation Pow Wow put on by AISES at Salish Kootenai college this past Saturday. Ostensibly I was there to snap some photographs and interview people to gather material for an article. However, I've long been a fan of Pow Wow music and at the first drumbeats of the grand entrance, I quickly transformed from an objective observer to a spectator.

The entry of the flags quickly reminded me of one of the principle reasons for holding a Pow Wow- to honor. For me, the most amazing sight was the Graduate's dance. In this dance, graduates past and present line up in double column and members of the community come forth to honor them. It honors the graduates and recognizes that the success of the community in the modern economy is in part dependent on their achievements.

I was also moved during the Golden Age dance when everyone in the auditorium that was able stood to honor the elders. The costumed dancers lined the perimeter, staffs raised and smiles beaming. Watching the graceful, dignified promenade of four of the women made me smile wider than I have in a long time because it reminded of something I had forgotten. Not only do our elders remind us of how things were, they can often remind us of who we are in an often chaotic and turbulent world. And, with some embarrassment, it reminded that I have not contacted my grandparents as often as I should.

I'm certain that the Gathering of Nations and the ASU Pow Wow are great in their own rights but I'm happy that the AISES Pow Wow was my first because it was above all a community event. Community is that thing that can make us truly great- for no matter how wise or strong we may be as individuals we are often only so because of those that came before us, those there with us, and those that will come.

So I want to say thank you. Thank you to AISES for organizing this event. Thank you to the Arena Director for hustling about with the microphone. Thank you to the Drums and dancers. Thank you to the graduates for making the commitment to yourselves and by extension, your community. Thank you because for the first time since I arrived in Polson, I wasn't thinking about not having a place to live or gainful employment- instead, I was tapping my foot and smiling. Thank you for making me feel welcome.

Most of all, thank you to all that have sacrificed something so that we can be here today. Mothers, teachers, workers, veterans- thank you. With each endeavor in my life, I hope to honor you and what you gave.