The Northbird Singers perform at the Dec. 6, 2014 Great Northern Radio Show in Walker, Minnesota. The Northbird Singers will be among the performers at the Bemijigamaag Powwow, Saturday, April 4, 2015 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. (PHOTO: Grant Frashier)
The city of Bemidji, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa, Red Lake Band of Ojibwa and White Earth Ojibwa Nation, along with Northern Community Radio, KOJB-The Eagle and a host of sponsors, will join to host the Bemijigamaag Powwow this Saturday, April 4, at Bemidji’s Sanford Center. The event is free and open to all.
While powwows are not uncommon to Northern Minnesota, this one is a little different. Native and non-native people are all encouraged to attend the event, which will be broadcast live on the radio and use video footage on the big screen of the event center to get a close look at the dancing. In fact, no large cross-cultural, multi-media event like this has been tried before in Bemidji.
Like many Northern Minnesota communities situated so close to reservations, Bemidji knows cultural misunderstanding and conflict between whites and natives. This event seeks to bridge gaps and build a better sense of community among the native and non-native people. The flags of the three local Ojibwa bands will be permanently displayed in the Sanford Center as part of this event. It’s also an educational opportunity for those of us unfamiliar with native culture, and a marvelous way to experience a form of art and cultural expression that’s been around Northern Minnesota for centuries.
Northern Community Radio was an early developer of this idea, securing grant funds and bringing together partners to launch the powwow planning. The station has also been running a series of documentary-style pieces inviting non-natives to participate in the powwow, which have been running for the last month.
KOJB-The Eagle will live broadcast reports from the powwow from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, which will also be carried by Northern Community Radio.
The event also has a news edge to it. Gov. Mark Dayton plans to attend and participate in the event, which is significant in itself, but more so because of recent controversy over the governor’s position on water quality standards related to Iron Range mining. Ojibwa bands have been vocal critics of efforts to weaken the state’s wild rice sulfate standard, which they believe would threaten their most important crop and central part of their cultural identity. Protesters are expected. Scott Hall and Heidi Holtan discussed the matter in Northern Community Radio’s “Give and Take” program last weekend.
But that aside, what’s happening inside the arena will be a remarkable demonstration of the progress in relations between Ojibwa bands and the people of neighboring communities. It’s well worth checking out if you’re in the area.
FOR THE FIRST TIME – In Bemidji, MN. On behalf of the Sanford Center, Northern Community Radio KAXE/KBXE FM, and KOJB 90.1 FM The Eagle, we are proud to announce, “The Sanford Center Bemijigamaag Powwow” will be hosted at the Sanford Center Arena / George W. Neilson Convention Center on Saturday, April 4 from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Grounded in hundreds of years of rich culture and history, powwows are a cultural expression of the Native American people. Now for the first time, both Native and non-Indigenous people will have the opportunity come together to embrace each other’s cultures, and our state’s heritage in this Free Community event. In creating this event at the Sanford Center, patrons will now experience the tradition of POWWOW in its entire splendor including a communal feast. With the use of Jumbotron footage, camera operators, special arena staging, arena sound system, and live radio broadcast, this will truly be the first event of its kind in Minnesota!
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Dancers Registration
1 p.m.: First Grand Entry
Gift Exchange: At this time we will ask each Tribal Chair to present the Mayor with their Tribal Flag for permanent placement within the George W. Nelson Convention Center. In addition, Mayor Rita Albrecht will present gifts to each Tribal Chair.
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Hand Drum Contest
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Communal Feast
7 p.m.: Second Grand Entry
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Two Step Dance
7 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Category Dancing
10 p.m.: Event End (Travel Song)
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