Between the daytime laughter of kids at the playground and the strum of a guitar during an evening concert at the gazebo, Wells Harbor Park echoes with sounds of community.
Next weekend, the usual park noises will be met with the rhythmic thud of drums and whistle of flutes during the 9th annual Native American Pow-Wow.
The event, organized by the New Hampshire Inter-Tribal Native American Council, brings together members of tribes in New Hampshire and Maine for two days of celebration, music, dancing and crafts.
“It’s a get-together of native people to sing and dance,” said Don Newell, a member of the Penobscot tribe and the New Hampshire Inter-Tribal Native American Council. “We have traders there. People work on their crafts throughout the year and sell them at these powwows. We have close to 30 traders making jewelry, dreamcatchers, mini drums.”
The Native American Pow-Wow will also feature storytelling, flute music, an auction, food vendors and dancing.
A parade of Native American dancers in tribal regalia will officially open the powwow during the Grand Entry at noon Saturday. The celebratory dance, performed within a circle, will include members of the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy and Micmac tribes, as well as members of Nevada’s Paiute tribe.
“The circle is sacred to Native Americans,” said Newell. “(The dancers) go into the circle to dance for the Creator. … It’s a celebration and a tribute.”
After the grand entry, all event attendees are welcome to join in on the dancing and revelry. Visitors can also browse the traditional crafts for sale, where they might be able to catch a trader working on a new piece.
There will also be a food vendor on site, should the drumming and dancing work up an appetite.
Following the powwow on Saturday, Native American flutist Joseph FireCrow will perform at 6:30 p.m. in the park as part of the Wells Harbor Park Concert Series. The free event is open to everyone, and organizers encourage blankets, lawn chairs and bug spray.
And while the Native American Pow-Wow is aimed at bringing Native Americans together, Newell said the festivities are something everyone can appreciate. “This is a family affair, something to bring the whole family to.
“In fact, we say ‘We are all related. We are all brothers and sisters.’ We come together to celebrate and to see each other and give each other a hug and talk with each other.”
And that, organizers hope, sounds like a good time to everyone.
Staff Writer Shannon Bryan can be contacted at 791-6333 or at:
sbryan@mainetoday.com
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