Pow Wow: Chance to share in culture

MONTROSE — Ute Indian dancers young and old wore vibrant-colored, beaded dresses as they moved to the thunderous sound of drums and high-pitched singing.

In the Indian culture, these dances — filled with story and significance — happen throughout the year. But for three days once a year in Delta, the general public has the opportunity to join in this celebration at the Council Tree Pow Wow and Cultural Festival.

The 14th annual event began Friday and continues today and Sunday at Confluence Park.

Arts, crafts, traditional games, performances and demonstrations are all part of the festivities.

Pow wows are gatherings of family and friends, traditionally in the summer. They provide occasions to compose songs, revive old dances and share in the historic, linguistic and spiritual value of these activities, said Alden Naranjo, a Southern Ute and festival executive committee member. Some of the Ute values are a belief in the interconnectedness of all things and a respect for elders, he said.

Wearing a heavily beaded dress, 13-year-old Celena Powaukee, who is Ute and Nez Perce Indian, was among those who performed. She did a traditional dance which symbolizes women gazing into the distance, looking for warriors to return home. It is also said to represent Mother Earth.

After the dancers finished their performances, the audience was invited into the arbor to “show your stuff.” Students of all ages held hands and danced around in a circle.

“Instead of sitting and watching, they get to be part of it,” said Rick Schotten, whose 6-year-old granddaughter Kiarrah Schotten was among students who danced in the arbor’s center.

“It’s awesome because they all need to learn about different cultures. Especially about the Ute that came here and where the Ute council tree is,” Schotten said.

This year’s event is sponsored by the Northern Ute Tribe. Also helping in festivities is the Southern Ute and the Mountain Ute.

“We all speak the same language, we just come from different places. We have the same traditions and we’re also related to some of our relatives up in the north,” said Naranjo.

Delta had long been eyed as the site of a pow wow because of its significance as the Ute people’s homeland and the location of the council tree, a place where chiefs and leaders met to make important decisions, Naranjo said. The tree is across the river from Confluence Park.

Today, elders continue to share important ideas to strengthen the connections between generations.

“We’re trying to make sure they (the children) pay attention to what we’re saying,” Naranjo said. “The elders, most of them are going, we’re losing them as time goes along. Some of the vision, some of the ideas, some of the values they’re taking with them when they go to the spirit world.”