79th Shinnecock Powwow draws thousands from across country
As a youngster, Gina Davis heard tales of her family history and how her great-grandmother once lived on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation.
About five years ago, Davis, 65, began digging into the family's ancestry, hoping to learn more about the oral history passed down from one generation to the next on her mother's side.
On Saturday, that research led Davis and her mother, Martha Lyons, 84, to the second day of the 79th annual Shinnecock Indian Powwow, a celebration of Indigenous culture through dance, drums and regalia. They arrived earlier in the week after driving from their home in Georgia to experience the powwow for the first time and possibly connect with previously unknown relatives.
"You do feel some sort of connection, even though I can't identify it in a person," Davis said of stepping on the sacred territory. "But I look at some of the Shinnecock elders and the people that identify themselves as Shinnecock and they look like my family."
The powwow, which cost $20 for general admission ($10 for ages 5-12) ran throughout Labor Day Weekend, ending Monday at 6 p.m.
Lyons recalled some of her relatives attending the powwow years ago, but she never had the opportunity to attend.
"I've always wanted to go, but I always lived away because my husband was in the military and we traveled all over the world," she said.
Her daughter added: "This year, we decided to take the time and make the trek up here because you never know how much time you have left."
Regina "Running Water" Smith, 66, of the Shinnecock tribe, donned traditional clothing at the powwow. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
The Labor Day weekend tradition brings together tribal Nations from across the country and Canada. Under clear skies Saturday, several thousand spectators browsed booths set up by craft and food vendors and watched various dances like the "Smoke Dance," "Shawl Dance" and "Grass Dance."
Jeanne Fenkl, 78, had been a frequent attendee of the powwow while living on Shelter Island. This year, she made the journey from Pennsylvania, where she now lives.
"I love their spirit," she said. "I love what they represent and I like to support them."
Noel Frazier, of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, danced the men's northern traditional dance.
Kyle Laboy, 40, a Shinnecock native who lives in Arizona, watched as his son, Kyree, 9, and daughter, Amayah, 7, made their way into the circle wearing regalia assembled by his mother and relatives. His son was set to perform the "Traditional Dance" while his daughter would perform the "Jingle," a dance and dress used to promote healing.
Kyle Laboy said it's important to pass down the traditions to the next generation and said his daughter has been particularly adept at grasping the significance.
Nicole Minetti, 41, of the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island, danced the women's "Eastern Blanket Dance."
Dyashwa Sylvester set up a booth to hand out free back-to-school supplies through the Boys & Girls Club of the Shinnecock Nation, which she helped found in 2021 to incorporate the Shinnecock heritage into a traditional club. It was a chance for her to return to the powwow after a two-year hiatus. Her daughter was sick last year, and she was pregnant the year before and not up to it, she said.
"This is home," she said. "This is something the kids and the entire community take pride in."
Charles K. Smith II, the powwow master of ceremonies, said he looks forward each year to reconnecting with members of other tribes. And for those attending the powwow for the first time, he said he hopes they can learn more about Indian culture and gain a knowledge "of who we are as Indian people."
Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
