Field Trip: PowWow

  There is just so much you can do in your own backyard.  Nearly a month ago (I know, I'm slow!) some of our buddies were involved as part of the attractions at the Shawnee County Intertribal PowWow and it gave us some incentive to make the trip!  Hubby and I hadn't attended since we were first married (almost 20 years ago).  It is a great experience!
  

Our buddy is a early 19th century fur trader re-enactor.  He has used his knowledge to teach numerous school children and even was able to travel the Lewis and Clark trail as a re-enactor for the bi-centennial of the expedition.  So, to hear him give his spiel again was so much fun!

Mookie and her buddy

His teepee is set up with replicas of period accessories and numerous hides some of which he acquired himself!  When he is set up for a re-enactment like this he will stay in his teepee and cook in it too!
  When we moved on to the PowWow itself, we took in all of the interesting booths and got some neat souvenirs to take home, some falling into the theme of the event like Shorty's foot jangles- which I appreciated because I could hear him if he took off, and he loved when we participated in the dancing to Mookie and her buddy's parasols...

The best part of the evening was joining in the dancing.  They had a dance time where they allowed members of the audience to come and join in.  Fantastic!  I didn't really want to go myself but everyone else was a little shy so we all went (Bubby took the pictures). 

I would venture to say that we will head back to this event again in the next couple of years.  What a great way to introduce different cultures to the kiddos!