Native Americans continue rich traditions at annual gathering
By DONNA L. HOLMAN, T&D CorrespondentMonday, November 15, 2004"During this month when we celebrate Thanksgiving, we especially celebrate the heritage and the contributions of (the) American Indian ... Their unique spiritual, artistic, and literary contributions, together with their vibrant customs and celebrations, enliven and enrich our land." President George W. Bush
Entering the realm of Native American tradition and culture, one could feel the beat of the rhythmic drums and hear the sounds of the metal cones on jingle dresses and the bells, deer hooves and other natural items made from bones or wood that adorned regalia worn by dancers. Feathers and clothing of all the colors of the rainbow decorated participants in the Sacred Circle, and all around were the sights and sounds of a true Indian Nation.
This weekend, Nov. 12-14, marked the 4th Gathering of the Croatan Indian People of South Carolina. The three-day event, sponsored by the Orangeburg Croatan Indians and funded in part by the Orangeburg County Tax and Tourism Commission, took place at the Orangeburg County fairgrounds and began with a special Kids Day on Friday.
"We had over 600 children come out on Friday. That was down from the more than 1,000 from last year," said Liz "Walking Thunder" O'Cain, council chair of the Croatan Indian Tribe of South Carolina, citing the unfavorable weather as a possible factor.
Despite the rainy skies, hundreds of interested locals came out to witness traditional hoop dancing, flute playing, drumming and storytelling. Onlookers were encouraged to join native peoples in the circle delineated by hay bales to dance in honor and respect of veterans and tribal chiefs.
Following the grand entry ceremony, the traditional manner in which a tribe enters into the Sacred Circle, the pledge song, national anthem for Indian people, was performed by the Edisto River Singers and Drummers.
Prayer was lifted up to the Great Creator, and the posting of the colors was completed with the ceremonial eagle feather staff in the center with two flags on either side.
Among the tribes represented at the annual gathering were Beaver Creek, Catawba, Cherokee, Choctaw, Croatan, Edisto, Lumbee and Pee Dee. Vendors of hand-made, authentic Native American jewelry, leather goods, wool clothing and wooden instruments hailed from as far away as Alaska.
"We come together once a year to meet with old friends and to make new ones," said Chief Frank Pie of the Edisto Tribe. "It's a part of our culture, coming together as Native Americans."
"Not only do we come together for ourselves, but to educate the general public about our culture and traditions," said Chief Ricky Bruner of the Croatan Indians, who are a part of the Lumbee Nation.
Resting in a glass case at the entrance to the indoor area used as this year's gathering site was a display of a mini Croatan village, the plans for the tribal grounds being prepared on Lake Edisto Road.
"Hopefully we can move to the new place next year, that we may dance on Mother Earth," said Bruner, noting that the unnatural setting of a cement floor barn was not the ideal location for the gathering. The stock barn at the fairgrounds was chosen to house the event this year to provide shelter from the rain.
Participating in the intertribal dance, wearing fancy dance regalia of yellow and black, 13-year old Shannon Godaire of Pembroke, N.C., said, "I love coming to the Pow Wows."
"There's an importance to continuing traditions," said her mother, Rowena Godaire, who added that her teenage daughter enjoys socializing and meeting new friends at the gatherings.
During intermission from traditional dances, the melodious music of a lone flute could be heard filling the room with a gentle air of serenity. Allen "Shadow" Hiott, seemingly lost in the spirit, played a Native American instrument constructed from PVC pipe.
"We are a people of unity," said Shadow's father, Chief Keith Hiott, of Rocky Swamp American Indian Ministries in Springfield.
The Hiotts are part of the Pee Dee Indian Nation of Beaver Creek. According to this tribal chief, the Creek people are descendants of the Muskogian Indians and honor gender equality in leadership, pointing out that their current Mekko, or "chief of all chiefs," is a woman.
"We invite peoples of other nations to join us as we learn from each other. As a part of our church ministry, we have a sweat lodge to allow us to get into more spirit, less human," the chief said.
Sweat lodges are sauna-type structures, which are traditionally used to cleanse the body of impurities and to enable one to experience visions of divine guidance, thus enhancing spiritual and religious awareness.
"That's how my son plays the flute, through the spirit. He's brought us much honor and respect," said Chief Hiott, who offers instruction to anyone interested in making a flute or rattle at the Neeses Highway location.
In designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month on Nov. 12, 2001, President George W. Bush noted:
"The strength of our nation comes from its people. As the early inhabitants of this great land, the native peoples of North America played a unique role in the shaping of our nation's history and culture."
