Powwow invites all to 'come dance with us'
By SHARON KERR Staff Writer

DANIEL BATTISE, the last surviving member of the WWII Devil's Brigade, carried the Eagle Staff in the grand procession at the 39th annual Powwow at the Alabama Coushatta reservation near Woodville.

The 39th annual Powwow held June 1- 2 on the Alabama Coushatta reservation near Woodville was a mixture of old and new. The event honors tribal traditions from many Native American cultures, but it also serves as a family reunion not unlike the many homecomings held all over East Texas.

This powwow is one of the few southern dances held during summer. The powwow circuit generally moves north to cooler climates because dancers will start in late afternoon and dance until midnight.

Gourd dancing, a sort of warm-up session, began at 5 p.m. followed by the grand procession at 7 p.m. A color guard led by U.S. military veterans carried the U.S. flag, military flags, and the blackand white POW-MIA flag. Daniel Battise, the last surviving member of the World War II Devil's Brigade, carried the Eagle Staff, the tribe's equivalent of the flag.

OLD AND NEW: below, hand-sewn moccasins with modern brass bells; at right, intricately beaded headgear for a Dallas daughter; far right, traditional warrier

The drummers and singers are the heartbeat of the powwow. Host southern drums were Thunderhill of Oklahoma, and northern drums were Midnight Express from Minnesota. Dancers registered from many tribes scattered across the United States, and visitors came from as far as Belgium.

In contests for points and prizes, dancers request songs played by specific drums. Dancers are judged on their knowledge of the song, the steps, their appearance and rhythm, including stopping exactly with the last beat of the drum.

For that reason, photographers are asked not to enter the dance circle, and in some cases, not to use a flash and distract the dancers who are competing for large cash prizes.

Costumes are hand-made and unique to each dancer. Moccasins are often handbeaded by women elders. Porcupine needles and bone decorations must be firmly attached so they don't interfere with the dancer's movements; it is a fault if any part of the costume falls off during a dance.

Some dancers wear authentic buckskin and turkey feathers, but costumes have evolved over the years to present a more colorful spectacle. Many costumes featured long synthetic fringe and feathers in neon colors. At least one young grass dancer used shiny DVDs as part of his costume.

The grass dance evolved from the practice of sending young men into the powwow circle first, to dance the high prairie grass down flat. It is one of the most energetic dances with many high steps, twists and turns.

The jingle dance is performed by young women wearing dresses sewn with rows of metal cones. The jingling rhythm must match the drum beat, and the reflecting flashes accentuate the hip movements.

In between the contest and special performances, the audience members can "come dance with us." Men and women don't dance together. It's more a freestyle procession around the circle, some in costume and some in jeans and t-shirts, tribal elders, tourists and children all enjoying the beat of the drums.

Newsboy photos/ Charles Kerr