Lumbee Fall Powwow unites tribes in a
celebration of American Indian tradition

By Gabrielle Patrick
Staff Writer

The 2005 Fall Lumbee Powwow in Pembroke attracted people from all over the state and nation.

Some came from as far as South Dakota to celebrate American Indian traditions and culture with the Lumbees, Oct. 28 -30.

Members of several North Carolina tribes were present, including the Lumbee, the Haliwa-Saponi, the Coharie and the Cherokee. Even the Rosebud Sioux from South Dakaota were represented.

Video by Dart McAdoo Lumbee Fall 2005 Powwow Pine Needle web interactive press arrow key to play video This is an 12mb QuickTime movie. Clicking the start arrow in the QuickTime window above will play the video. To view the video, your browser needs the free QuickTime movie player as a helper application or plug-in. Get the QuickTime movie player »

Vendors’ booths surrounded the dancer’s circle at the LRDA field and sold traditional American Indian arts and crafts. There also were food booths selling collard sandwiches and the popular chicken bogg.

The close relationship among members of the Lumbee tribe was demonstrated during the opening ceremony Oct. 29, when a new baby was welcomed into the tribe with a dance around the arena.

Later that day, the organizers received a call that a member of the tribe had just been in a car accident, and the women performed a Jingle Dance in honor of him.

There was plenty of entertainment during the powwow.

Lumbee rapper, Litefoot, performed as part of the opening night celebrations and Lanny Lowery gave a flute exhibition.

Most popular, of course, were the dance and drum competitions.

Throughout the weekend, the drum beat was broadcast over loudspeakers as the dancers kept step with the thundering beat.

The Tiny Tots division was a big hit as children as young as 18 months old performed traditional dances in their multicolored outfits.

Children and adults participated in several divisions of traditional, fancy, jingle, and grass dances.

The Head Dancers were Billy Hunt and Miss Lumbee 2005, Erica Dellinger.