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Pow Wow In The Pines
10/11/2009
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Overcast skies and almost perfect temperature greeted the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians' first annual “Pow Wow In The Pines”, held yesterday at their tribal grounds in Tout, Louisiana. This unique and special event embraces the Jena Choctaw’s sacred traditions of the past and present as they prepare for the future.
A steady traffic of visitors mingled among the food booths and craft vendors who were at the building’s entrance and inside along the walls. One Native American vendor, dressed in ancestral clothing, demonstrated flute music. A group of youngsters were admiring a large display of arrowheads. Another Native American vendor was selling baskets woven with pine needles.
The crowd gradually settled into chairs in the auditorium where the Pow Wow ceremonies were to take place. Extra chairs had to be brought in and people were still standing along the walls.
Chief Christine Norris welcomed everyone to the “Pow Wow In The Pines”, a celebration that has a significant meaning for all tribal people. It serves as a gathering for new friends and a homecoming for the Choctaw as well as all Native American people. This Pow Wow is special to the Jena Choctaw because it reaffirms the growth, development and promise of their tribal nation, and it gives the Choctaw an opportunity to share their culture, tradition and history.
Mayor Murphy McMillan expressed the town’s support of the Pow Wow In The Pines. The mayor acknowledged the importance of developing our Native American culture and pledged to work with the Jena Band of Choctaw in the future.
Master of ceremonies was Walter Thomas Celestine, Jr., a full blood Coushatta from the Panther Clan and a member of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe in Livingston, Texas. Throughout the proceedings Mr. Celestine kept the gymnasium-filled crowd informed about tribal customs, traditions and the purpose of various dances that were performed.
Vance Beaver, a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma, served as Arena Director. Last year he danced at the largest Pow Wow in North America, Gathering of Nations, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
John W. Procell, Tribal Chairman of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb, Louisiana, served as Head Gourd Dancer. Mr. Procell travels throughout the United States as Head Gourd Dancer for many Pow Wows promoting Native American Culture.
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