Powwow brings Native American culture to isles

Last year, as Kani Blackwell was thanking students and teachers for attending the School Outreach Program that the Kauai Powwow Council pre­sents annually at Lydgate Beach Park, she felt a tug at her sleeve.

She looked down and saw a little girl standing beside her who said, "Dr. B, I didn’t know real Indians still existed."

"Her words hit me like a concrete brick," said Blackwell, president of KPC’s board. "It dawned on me that if we don’t offer cultural exchanges like the outreach program, then book knowledge is all our children will have. They think Native Americans lived a long time ago and now exist only in textbooks. They deserve to learn about Native American history and culture from real Native Americans. It’s important for them to understand our contributions to our country and our ongoing challenges, including preserving our identity in society today."

That sums up the mission of KPC, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 1998. It has spearheaded its biggest event, the Kauai Powwow, since its inception.

This year’s theme is "Rejuvenate Your Spirit: Embracing Our Culture and Tradition." As usual, there will be drumming, dancing, storytelling, traditional food, a silent auction, Native American arts and crafts, and a keiki booth with games and activities.

Festivities on Sept. 27 will begin with the Indigenous Drum Gathering of taiko, Polynesian, African and, of course, Native American drummers. The evening will conclude with a Drum Circle; anyone who wants to take part in this informal, improvised playing of drums is encouraged to do so.

"You can bring and play any kind of hand drum," Blackwell said. "The main objective is for drummers to share the rhythm — to get in tune with themselves and each other. The energy that’s generated, the bonding that occurs, touches all participants and observers, whether they’re Native Americans by blood or just have ‘native hearts.’"

The Grand Entry — a parade of flag bearers, tribal leaders, special guests and dancers in full regalia — will officially open the celebrations Sept. 28 and 29. "We smudge people with sage — use a feather to direct smoke from burning sage toward them as they enter the sacred circle — for purification and to remove any feelings of negativity," Blackwell said. "I have seen many eyes fill with tears during the Grand Entry, for it is a time of pride, joy and excitement."

Inspiring, too, are the dances, which go on continuously during the three-day event. Sure to capture attention are the jingle dances, which feature women and girls in colorful dresses adorned with tinkling metal ornaments. For the fast-paced hoop dances, a solo dancer tells a story by interlocking as many as 30 hoops to create shapes representing humans, animals, birds, the wind, water and other elements of life.

Visitors can join in some of the dances, including the Round Dance, where participants form a circle, signifying friendship, and move together to the beat of a drum. Seeing people from many different places and circumstances become one in spirit at the powwow is a highlight for Blackwell.

She herself walked a rocky path to discover her Native American roots. Raised in an orphanage in Lexington, Ky., she was always aware that she looked "different" — just like her father, she was told.

"I had dark skin and hair, and throughout my childhood I was called a half-breed," Blackwell said. "I felt like an outcast. To find out who I was, I spent many years researching, soul-searching and validating information about my past. When I was in my late 30s, I finally accepted that I would never know who my biological father was, and I embraced my native heritage."

Blackwell was welcomed into the Cherokee nation about 10 years ago. Holding a doctorate in education with an emphasis in cognitive psychology, she has enjoyed a 47-year teaching career, the past decade as a faculty member for the University of Hawaii’s Statewide Teacher Education Program. Now retired, except for teaching one online course on Multicultural Education, she has more time to devote to KPC.

"I’ve dedicated my efforts to strengthening KPC, obtaining funds through grants and donations, and forming alliances with mainland tribes," Blackwell said. "I’m so happy that 40 elders from the Barona Band of Mission Indians from Lakeside, Calif., will be coming to the Kauai Powwow this year, as well as members of the Puyallup, Muckleshoot, Navajo and other nations."

About 6,000 visitors and kama­aina are also expected to attend. That there is such interest in a powwow in Hawaii is not far-fetched, Blackwell notes, especially since Native American and Native Hawaiian values are closely aligned.

According to her, the 10 Native American commandments are: Treat the earth and all that dwell thereon with respect; remain close to the Great Spirit; show great respect for your fellow beings; work together for the benefit of all mankind; give assistance and kindness wherever needed; do what you know to be right; look after the well-being of mind and body; dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good; be truthful and honest at all times; and take full responsibility for your actions.

Similarly, the Hawaiians stress the importance of kule­ana (responsibility), ohana (family), manao (knowledge), pono (righteousness), mana (spirit) and ola­kino (health).

"Something magical happens as we dance and drum beside the ocean on Kauai," Blackwell said. "We rejoice; our spirits are uplifted. We celebrate life and our connection with nature, ourselves, our heritage and our brothers and sisters who are there, no matter what their ancestral background might be. At the powwow we are all members of the same tribe — the tribe of the universe."

Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.