Festivities slated to begin Friday, June 9
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BAY MILLS - Members of the Bay Mills Pow Wow Committee have been working diligently to make sure that this year's 15th Annual Honoring our Veterans Pow Wow is better than that of years past.
According to committee Chairman Richard LeBlanc, he hopes to see the event become known as the regional championship of song and dance.
"Ultimately, we want Bay Mills to be considered the place to go," LeBlanc said. "The place where the best drummers and dancers come to compete. Currently, there is no Midwest championship of song and dance. That's our goal and we're hoping to get there."
LeBlanc said the turnout at last year's first competition pow wow was a good indication that the area is in desperate need of a competition pow wow. He estimated that somewhere between 750 and 1,000 drummers, dancers and spectators participated in last year's event. Since it was in its first year as a competition pow wow, LeBlanc added that he expects to see a much better turnout this year.
"We're going to be bigger and better," he said. "Last year was great, but we expect this year to be much better. Hopefully, we can start attracting those drums and dancers that go out specifically to compete. Our goal is to outgrow our current location."
The committee has been busy year-round trying to raise funds for the event, whether through bake sales, calling vendors, or by soliciting donations. This year they will also be selling double-glossy souvenir books for $2 to $4 apiece, featuring veteran's photos, a brief history of the tribe, and descriptions of the different types of dancers, he noted. Even though the Executive Council gave $35,000 for this year's pow wow, compared to the $23,000 they gave last year, LeBlanc said his goal is to see the annual event become self-sufficient in the future and one that does not have to rely on tribal dollars.
LeBlanc added that he would also like to see a full-time job created for someone to work year-round solely on the pow wow to help it grow and to help make his dream of becoming self-sufficient a reality. Whether coordinating events, or soliciting donations, LeBlanc said whoever worked in this position would have "the hardest job in Bay Mills". And while being on the committee is as demanding as a full-time job, LeBlanc said there are still available spots for anyone who is willing to put forth the time and energy to help make the pow wow a success.
LeBlanc said the committee needs more people like Angie Johnson, the former pow wow committee chairman, who he credited with single-handedly keeping the pow wow going for the past couple of years. Even though she is no longer on the committee, LeBlanc said Johnson is still working hard to see it succeed.
In addition to being known as an outstanding competition pow wow, LeBlanc said he also hopes to see the event become an outstanding festival that celebrates, not only the natives living in the area, but the surrounding communities, as well. He said local bands or talents, and artists could be featured, along with informational and educational booths that focus on all that Bay Mills and Brimley has to offer, to attract anyone and everyone.
While the committee has been busy of late going over the most minute details to make sure this year's pow wow runs smoothly, LeBlanc said he would like to see the entire community come out and participate in the festivities.
"Come out and hear powerful singing and see athletic prowess in the dance arena," LeBlanc said. "We'll have good dancers, good drummers and good food."
