France Park found itself home to a powwow on Saturday that drew hundreds gathered to watch a ceremony to honor veterans this Memorial Day weekend.

Veterans and Native American dancers lined the circle while drummers beat and singers chanted under the blue sky in the bottoms of an old rock quarry. The occasion was the 2008 powwow hosted by Logansport’s own Eel River Tribe of Indiana.

The sun shined bright as master of ceremonies Leroy Malaterre instructed participants in the grand entry dance to stand flags of the Cherokee Nations, Army, Navy, Marines, POW-MIA and Canada near the center of the circle. Wind blew each flag in the same direction while Malaterre asked the creator for blessings.

“We are here to honor all veterans,” Malaterre announced.

Area residents watched as local veterans and tribal members from Indiana, Florida, Alabama, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky participated in the grand entry, which is when all dancers enter the dance circle to start the day of dancing and drumming. Another grand entry is scheduled for noon today.

Throughout the day Saturday, vendors offered crafts, Native American items and exhibits at the powwow.

With a bucket of nodules by his side, Ron Kennedy, a flint knapper out of Frankfort, showed off the skill he picked up as a child. His family line includes Cherokee and Cree heritage.

Kennedy learned to knap from an uncle, who had learned it from his father. Now Kennedy carries on the tradition as he travels the country giving demonstrations at powwows and schools.

It takes Kennedy about 40 minutes to make one arrowhead. While he knocked flakes from the flint tool, he talked history with those who stopped to watch.

“This is the oldest profession there is — making stone tools,” he said.

Kennedy sells his creations. From deer tendons and a combination of bone dust, scrapings from deer hide and certain tree sap, Kennedy makes material to haft the arrowheads into deer antlers, forming a complete stone tool.

“I make them as real and as natural as possible,” he said.

Kennedy represented part of the educational aspect of the event.

“Powwows help educate people and tell people the truth,” Kennedy said.

In the past, Native Americans were portrayed as savages to justify the injustices committed on them, Kennedy said. Through ritual and making people aware, powwow participants hope to set the record straight while also promoting friendship and giving.

France Bequette flew in from Paris, France, to attend the powwow. Her escort was Mayor Mike Fincher, who witnessed his first powwow on Saturday.

Bequette, on assignment for National Geographic, also had a personal interest in the gathering. Many years ago her family moved from France to Louisiana. While studying the American Revolution for her doctorate’s degree, she learned that her family heritage included the Wea Tribe. She was recently accepted into the tribe and given several gifts she considered special.

“Like a dream,” Bequette said of being at the powwow. “Back to my roots.”

France Park superintendent Sandy Heckard was happy with the turnout.

“For our first time, we are very pleased,” she said.

The powwow worked out well for proving the park’s value.

“It’s fantastic,” Heckard said. “It’s just another way to show the community what an asset they have in France Park.”

Heckard would like the powwow to be an annual event and for next year there is room for expansion.

Prior to the powwow, park workers had to clear the land used by the tribes. The land can now be used by other groups wanting to camp, Heckard said.

The powwow is scheduled to continue today. Heckard says it’s worth people’s time to check it out.

“I encourage people to come out and see the beautiful regalia that the Indians where and how colorful they are,” Heckard said. “It is very educational for everyone. We sometimes forget our history and past and this is a great way to bring that back to us.”

Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com



Want to go?

The powwow will continue today at France Park, located on U.S. 24 west of Logansport. The cost is $1.50 to get into the park and $3 for adults to enter the powwow. Children and senior citizens get in free of charge. A shuttle service is available for those who cannot walk down the steep gravel path to the powwow.



Eel River Tribe online

For more information on the Eel River Tribe of Indiana, visit their Web site at www.eelrivertribeofindiana.org