Shinnecock Powwow at 79: Experience tribal culture with dance, food and more

Long Island summers are made up of many traditions. From the Jones Beach air show and outdoor concerts to the Feast of St. Rocco in Glen Cove to the Hamptons Classic Horse Show, locals  fill their calendars with colorful annual events each season. However, one of the longest running events that has steadily grown for 79 years is the Shinnecock Indian Powwow. 

WHEN/WHERE 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today; 100 Montauk Hwy., Southampton

COST $20, $10 ages 5-12

MORE INFO 631-745-7391, shinnecock-nsn.gov.

This Native American tribe has quietly lived on an 800-acre reservation maintaining its traditions and culture for the past 300 years. Annually, the Shinnecocks open their grounds to the public for the Powwow.

"People feel educated and enlightened with good spirits from the Powwow. We are a race of people that has lasted for so long and we are still strong in our culture," says Powwow master of ceremonies Charles K. Smith II, of Southampton, former sachem of the Shinnecock Nation council. "There are always warm feelings at the Powwow among everybody. People enjoy the food, the arts and crafts, the dancing and the singing. It’s a joyful occasion."

Thousands of attendees gather on the Shinnecock Reservation to witness more than 35 tribes from across the country competing in dance and drum competitions, cooking homemade dishes and selling handmade goods. Tribes include the Chickasaw Nation from the Midwest, the Cherokee Tribe from North Carolina, the Seneca Nation from upstate New York, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the Narragansett Tribe from Rhode Island, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe from Massachusetts, the Pequot Nation from Connecticut, the Navajo Tribe from Arizona and many more.

Here’s how to have an authentic Native American experience at this South Shore event.

WATCH NATIVE DANCES

The main attraction at the Powwow is the wide array of dance competitions among the various tribes that take place throughout the weekend. Each dance has a special meaning and presentation. A panel of judges rates the performances on a 1-10 point system.

The Shawl Dance is one done by women with brightly colored shawls  and features fancy footwork and a fast-paced beat. Another female dance is the Jingle Dress Dance done while wearing a dress constructed with little tin objects that make a jingle sound when they move, which is said to be healing.

The Men’s Fancy Feather Dance shows men wearing colored feathers while conducting a very athletic dance with a rapid beat.

The Smoke Dance is a ceremonial dance developed by the Iroquois nation. The dance got the name because the movements were so fast, they used to drive up the dust, which would  look like smoke.

The Blanket Dance is a courtship dance done by women that was developed in the Northeast. Women dance with a blanket and they move in graceful ways to entice men.

The Round Dance,  which is known as a friendship dance, is when  everyone comes together in a never-ending circle of friendship. Audience members are invited to join in.

The Eastern War Dance can be misunderstood because it’s not a cry for war, but rather represents men returning from war.

"The men needed healing from what they encountered," Smith says. "When they danced, they acted out stories of what they saw on the battlefield. They asked the people to give them prayers as they heal."

WITNESS DRUM COMPETITIONS

In addition to dance, tribes compete with their teams of drum groups. Each group will perform a contest song and be rated on how well they keep the beat.

"Each drummer will be given a chance to open a dance," Powwow committee chairman Ferdinand Lee says. "Grading by a panel of judges, composed of members from each nation, will be based on accuracy in terms of timing, rhythm, pitch and tone."

CATCH LIVE PERFORMANCES

The band Blackbird returns to the Powwow with its special brand of alternative rock fusion.

"We incorporate flute into alternative rock with blues elements and a jam band mentality," band leader Cody Blackbird says.

Blackbird will perform new songs "The Venture" and "Hellfire" from its upcoming studio album.

Greywolf Hunter,  who is part of the Shinnecock Tribe, is going to present his blending of music genres.

"I’m mixing country and bluegrass with beach dub and Southern rock peppered with tribal chants," Hunter says.

In his set, Hunter will play originals like "1830," a song about the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and "Red Skin," an upbeat tune reclaiming the expression and the history of Native Americans.

New this year will be a performance from Hawaiian dance troupe Ohana Mokuloa.

"We deliver a presentation of the islands of Hawaii by telling the story of ancient gods," dance leader  Makanani Bune-Fitzpatrick says. "Most of our dance is an explanation of the song with our hands."

TRY NATIVE AMERICAN FOOD

Part of the Powwow experience is to taste the homemade Native American foods being sold by each tribe.

"We are leaning toward a more traditional Native American food menu and veering away from the commercial stuff," Lee says. "These are the recipes that we grew up on and we want to share them with our guests."

Some of the dishes include buffalo burgers, Indian tacos (deer meat, lettuce, cheese and tomatoes on fry bread made of blue corn flour), succotash (corn, beans, and vegetables), samp (corn stew), clam chowder, baked stuffed clams, plus clams and oysters on the half shell.

CHECK OUT HANDMADE ITEMS 

Various tribes sell different handmade items that can’t be found in stores. Guests enjoy picking up turquoise jewelry, leather goods, native blankets, deer skins, bone work, artwork, carvings, plus intricate beading on belts, jackets and hats. But perhaps the most valuable is wampum, the purple part of the clamshell, which is a specialty of Northeastern tribes.

"It’s used to make all different kinds of jewelry," Powwow entertainment chair Susan Soto says. "It’s rare that you find a clam that has a lot of purple inside its shell, therefore it’s valuable. Wampum was once used in exchange for money."