Ashley Ryerse, part of the planning powwow committee, said the powwow is important for people in the MSU, East Lansing and Lansing community because it is a popular event and it helps American Indian students on campus feel close to their culture.

“It’s important for native students to stay connected to their culture when they are away from home because native communities are a tight-knit culture,” Ryerse said.

Family community services sophomore Leslie Hannah attended the powwow for the first time because one of her friends is in the North American Indigenous Student Organization, or NAISO.

“This is something different for me because I didn’t grow up around this,” Hannah said.
“It’s a moving experience seeing all of the spirituality and passion that everyone has.”

Dancing for family

Miigwaans Smith, 14, has come to the powwow since she was 3, when her mother made her first dancing outfit.

“My (parents) actually met here when they were younger, and then 14 years later they still come, but with me,” she said.

Smith competed in various dance categories, including the fancy shawl — a dance representing the butterfly.

“For dance competitions, the judges judge on the difficulty of moves, how fast one goes and if you stay in the beat, but mainly whoever looks the best for both guys and girls,” Smith said. “However, we just like to come here and dance and say ‘hi.’ The competition just happens to be a part of it.”

Hitting the road

Until the end of the summer, Rick Raphael will spend nearly every weekend on the road with his band, Dusty Bear, representing part of American Indian culture.

Saturday’s powwow was one of the first tour stops.

“We pack up the regalia and pile in one car sometimes and go everywhere,” Raphael said.
Raphael started playing the drums when he was 8 years old, he said, adding fathers usually teach the drums to their sons.

Crafting culture

Mildred Hill has made American Indian jewelry for about 50 years and comes to the powwow to sell her pieces.

Beaded jewelry, dream catchers and bells are just some of the handcrafted pieces Hill sells on her tour across the country to support her family, who reside at Canada’s Six Nations Reservation in Ontario.

She sees the powwow as a way to reconnect with family and friends while showing the presence of American Indians.

“Something like this is more to help the non-natives get a truthful look at us and to be aware that we are still here, but we are dwindling,” Hill said.

“It’s just a good feeling all around to be able to get out here and do what you love to do,” Raphael said.