#gon2015

2,000 dancers! 

If I’m being honest, I had my reservations about attending any part of the Miss Indian World competition. It’s something I admittedly knew very little about and my limited exposure to what I thought were pageants of this nature in western dominant culture I had found to be exploitive and fairly pointless wastes of time and money. So I was hesitant as I found a solo seat in the 5th row a few minutes before (the soon to be former) Miss Indian World, Taylor Thomas, was scheduled to speak. But I’m very glad I went, and so grateful for what I saw. Her entire family was involved, which of course included extended clan and tribal community members. They shared gifts with the entire audience as a show of gratitude for the year of support. They talked about Taylor’s accomplishments as Miss Indian World which included a laundry list of work both at home and abroad to improve conditions for Indigenous communities. It was truly inspiring what she has been able to accomplish. Then the men of her nation bestowed their highest honour on her and the women of their tribe in ‘airing out the feathers’, a song and dance performed wearing headdresses in which the men dance first, then each transfer their headdress to a woman. This is the only time women ever wear a headdress in this nation. They then dance as well before concluding with an honour song for Taylor. It was incredibly powerful to witness. Taylor thanked her mother and spoke to the power of women and youth. There were tears of joy and cries of celebration. Then when the crown was passed to the new Miss Indian World, Cheyenne Brady, everyone danced and songs played for her. Medicines were even used to smudge. It was an unexpected delight to be able to take part in such a moment.

The dancing is and has always been one of the biggest draws at Gathering of Nations. Whether to watch the numerous styles from across the land or to compete yourself, everyone gets involved in one way or another. And to be honest, the reputation did not even compare to the experience of actually being there. All day long there was dancing, drumming and singing happening in ‘The Pit’. Outside in ‘Pow Wow Alley’ dancers performed tribal specials from various guest nations not traditionally from Turtle Island. Perhaps most surprising to some, but maybe even most powerful for me, were the dancers that were fully incorporated as integral parts of the shows on ‘Stage 49’ as these tended to be 6th and 7th generation performers incorporating turn tables and electric guitars. It was beautiful to see time honoured traditions and new ideas flowing together so seamlessly.  As I’ve described before, the dancing was a very emotional experience. And not just for me, but a number of students directly expressed feeling very overwhelmed with emotions as well. Never before have I witnessed so many different styles of dance and dress representing so many vast and beautiful nations in one space. The grand entries and the sibling special were both phenomenal examples of this. To the same song played on the same drum dancers crossed the floor with varied speeds and techniques like one harmonious flock. It was truly an honour to witness so many talented performers share their tribal traditions.

The 2015 Gathering of Nations Drums