WALTERS — Traditional garb and dances were just part of a lesson about heritage.
A powwow was held Saturday in Sultan Park in Walters. And, people from around the country, including some Stephens County residents, attended the event.
The biggest push of the event was a blending of cultures in a display of heritage, which included various dances and activities of different American Indian tribes. The powwow provided a chance for these histories to be shared with other cultures.
Event Coordinator Nakima Geimausaddle said, “Skin color isn’t what determines who we are. It’s the heart.”
A gourd dance, a Kiowa Tribe tradition, was among the activities held in the park. Geimausaddle said the dance was a way of rallying warriors as they left for battle.
One interesting aspect of the program was that, unlike most powwows, the event didn’t cost $8,000. Instead, it cost only $91 out-of-pocket expense for Geimausaddle. For most expenses, donations were given.
Aside from donations for the powwow, various vendors, set up in the park, raised money for different community programs.
“Everything is raising funds for something,” Geimausaddle said. “Everyone is out here doing something positive.
“We opened it up for anyone who wanted to do fundraising in the community.”
The object of the event was encouraging people to work together and to take into account the cultures of others.
“It brings the community together,” Geimausaddle said.
“We’re celebrating the unique heritages we have in this state.”
While the program gave exposure to various cultures, the event also provided recognition to four departments of service, including war veterans, EMS, police officers and firefighters.
The service men and women were recognized with medals, which included a depiction of four American Indian women as warriors on horseback. The images were hand-painted.
The background of the image was black to signify the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Geimausaddle, who is a retired sergeant first-class, said she felt many of these people didn’t get the recognition they deserved, and the tokens were going to provide some overdue acknowledgment.
“It gives them something to be proud of,” she said.
