At the 2014 Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow, from left,
2013 Powwow Princess Dee Dee Jackson, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell, 2014 Powwow Princess Sassamin Weeden.
MASHPEE – The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s 94th Annual Powwow will begin this year on July 3.
The theme for this year’s three-day annual Native American homecoming tradition is “Honoring All Our Relations—Land & Life.
“This year the theme of the Powwow is homecoming and honoring all our relations. Traditionally, powwow was called homecoming because if people are away, that’s the time they came home. That has been been true since we had our first public powwow 94 years ago,” Wampanoag Tribal Council Vice Chair Jessie “Little Doe” Baird said.
She clarified that powwows have gone on for centuries privately, but 94 years ago, the tribe began allowing outsiders to attend.
“This year, we’re honoring all our relations and that includes the land and that includes the water. That’s the theme of this year’s homecoming,” Baird said.
Baird and Tribal Council Chairman Cedric Cromwell both said they recalled the excitement of getting ready for powwow when they were young.
CCB MEDIA PHOTO
Mashpee Wampanoag Chairman Cedric Cromwell and Vice Chair Jessie “Little Doe” Baird.
“Getting ready for dancing started months ahead of time. People perfecting the two step and perfecting the moccasin dance for those contests,” Baird said.
It is no coincidence that the tribe holds their Powwow on July 4 weekend.
“During the fourth of July weekend, where the rest of the country is celebrating its independence, it’s a reminder for us to still make medicine and to celebrate the fact that we’re still here, even as the country grew up around us,” she said.
Each day at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, formerly the Barnstable County Fairgrounds in Falmouth, the gates will open at 10 a.m. with the Grand Entry at 1 p.m.
This year’s Powwow, emceed by Early “Chiefie” Mills Jr. will include traditional dance and drumming contests, Wampanoag cuisine, as well as scores of artisans and vendors.
The line-up for this year’s head staff include Host Drum Storm Boyz; Head Man Dancer Nakia Hendricks Jr. and Head Woman Dancer Alex Lopes-Pocknett.
As in year’s past, Fireball will kick off at dusk on Saturday, July 4.
To the outside observer, Fireball appears to be a soccer game being played with a kerosene-soaked ball lit on fire. But for the Wampanoag, fireball is a healing ceremony to offer healing for people who are seriously ill. Each player dedicates their courage to a loved one while kicking and carrying the ball under the watchful eye of Fireball Keeper David Pocknett.
Another popular draw will also be back this year. The traditional clambake, prepared by The Lady Hawk Singers to include lobster, quahogs, clams and corn on the cob, will be held on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m.
Tribal dance and drum contestants will have a chance to win up to $30,000 in prizes. Proper ID is required.
The Powwow will be held at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway, East Falmouth.
Admission for adults is $13 and $8 for children 6 to 12 years of age as well as elders 65 and over. Children under the age of 5 get in for free.
Listen below to Cedric Cromwell and Jessie “Little Doe” Baird talk about the 94th Annual Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow.
