6-7 Thursday, September 15, 2016 udy Webster Couple perpetuating culture with Hawaii Island All Nations Powwow walks in two worlds — keeping one foot in modern day rules and ways of life, and the other firmly planted in his Native American culture. “I use what I need to live in the ‘white world’ on a daily basis. I need to understand their politics and their laws … but the other foot is in my cultural heritage as a Native American,” he says. Webster’s father, and his father before him, weren’t given a choice. “They were taken and put in boarding schools, their hair was cut and their language was taken away,” he explains. “They became a ‘white Indian.’ They had to give up their religion and their dances. When they went back to their tribe, they were lost.” So Webster has spent a great portion of his life trying to heal and move on, which for him entailed learning and carrying on a culture that was nearly lost. Four years ago, he and his wife, Jadeen, took over the Hawaii Island All Nations Powwow, and the two have been working tirelessly to keep the event going and growing so that the next generation can know what Webster was never taught. The fourth annual Hawaii Island All Nations Powwow — a two-day event of singing, dancing and socializing to honor Native American culture — takes place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Keaukaha Hawaiian Village on Kalanianaole Avenue just past Puhi Bay. The event is free and open to the public, and participation in social dances is encouraged from people of all creeds and backgrounds. In addition to dancing and other performances, people can enjoy local native craft vendors and food booths, including the Webster ohana’s Indian fry bread and tacos. “The concept of powwows started a long time ago when traders and the natives got together to exchange goods,” Webster explains. “There was dancing and singing, and nowadays, powwows include travelers from all over and many different tribes.” Webster says these gatherings take place across the nation — many of them contests where monetary prizes are given to the best dancers. However, the Hawaii Island All Nations Powwow is meant to be a social gathering for Native Americans and people of all cultures. “Each nation has its own powwow,” he says. “It’s a way for people to gather together and share their culture and their language. It’s like letting the community — and the world — know that we’re still here. A lot of people think there are no more Indians or we still live in tepees. This is a way to educate people that we are still here and we’re still fighting for our culture and our language.” An important aspect of any powwow is to first honor the “host culture” before the day begins. “We have our Hawaiian practitioner, Alona Quartero, come in and bless the grounds. Then there is a welcoming from the tribes in our native language,” Webster says. “We always have the presence of the host culture at our event. We need to ask permission, that’s the protocol. We are really just visitors here, actually.” Honoring veterans of war is another significant aspect of powwows across the world. The role of the emcee also is important, as he serves as the “voice” of the powwow and explains important By KATIE YOUNG YAMANAKA Special to the Tribune-Herald Courtesy photos Shown are Jerry Buch, arena director, and Teresa Barber-Buch, headwoman. See POWWOW Page 8
ib
To see the actual publication please follow the link above