Dancing, Gambling and American Indians

The Pow Wow was the highlight of our trip to Topeka. Most interesting of all were the costumes and a chance to have preconceived notions of what a pow wow was corrected.

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Harrah's Prairie Band Casino offers a dining buffet with an international flavor. There are stations for American, Italian and Chinese dishes, as well as a salad and dessert bar. The dining atmosphere is pleasant -- how could it be otherwise at a casino, where they pump in fresh oxygen, etc. to help you forget the time.

The quality of the food was good and the staff was quite attentive even though the dining was buffet style.

The casino offers a very stimulating environment -- slightly subdued lighting, with lit slot machines positioned throughout the large room. The sounds of beeps and ching, ching, ching of coins dropping into metal trays adds to the excitement.

The staff is attentive, making sure that free beverages such as pop or tea are served wherever you are so that you need not leave your favorite game in search of a drink.

Authentic Native American Pow Wows are held in Topeka several times a year. Speaking for myself, I went to the pow wow with several preconceived notions. I expected to find teepees set up around the park and Native Americans in full Indian dress. Images abounded in my mind of Hollywood scenes with Natives dancing around a large bonfire in a circle of teepees.

This was not what I found, however. There was one teepee in a camping area nearby, but the majority of tents were standard tents that most of us use for camping or outdoor shelters.

As far as 'authentic' Native American dress, there were several individuals wearing what my mind judged to be authentic costumes. Many of the other individuals, however, wore a mix of modern clothing and traditional dress. There was a part of me that was a little disappointed that what I had expected was not in fact what was. But then, there was another part of me that was anxious to learn how things really are for Native Americans in today's society and how they really celebrate their Pow Wows.

My husband and I were both surprised to find that the event had an entry fee of $6.00 per person. We had assumed because it was being held in a public park that it was open to the public free of charge. The event was worth the gate charge considering the knowledge we gained and the pleasurable afternoon and evening we spent at the Pow Wow.

The gourd dancing lasted about an hour and included some ceremonial proceedings. Some of the events were a little difficult to follow as this was the first Pow Wow I've attended, but I believe that one of the ceremonies was to welcome a new member into the Gourd Society. The new member was dressed in black and wore a black cowboy hat.

It seems that one of the traditions Native Americans still practice is one of honoring certain people. After the new member was given a rattle by Charles Chibitty, the group began a walk/dance around the circle. Others from the tribes then passed in front of the first line of people, which included the new member, shook hands with them and then added themselves to the back of the group. When the procedure was finished, there was quite a large number walking/dancing around the circle. It is my understanding that those joining the procession give a small gift to the honoree when shaking his hand.

There were numerous colorful costumes in evidence and the number grew as the evening wore on. The men as well as the women donned their regalia and joined the dancing. A local television news reporter and photographer from channel 49 were there to document the event. They conducted interviews with some of the more colorfully dressed individuals.

During the gourd dancing, women danced behind their men and stayed in groups together.

Our trip to the casino was not originally on our agenda, but became a fun part of our day because of the extreme heat. Our desination in Topeka was Shawnee Lake where a Native American Pow Wow was being held. We arrived in Topeka sometime around 12 p.m. and found the Pow Wow location beside Shawnee Lake. Dancing was scheduled for the afternoon, but because of the extreme temperatures (in excess of 105 degrees), was postponed until 5:00.

With some time on our hands we decided to drive to the casino and have lunch and do a little gambling.

Harrah's Prairie Band Casino is located on Reservation Land and is owned by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. It's a well run operation and very busy.

What my husband and I do really can't be considered gambling. We're such high rollers that we allow ourselves $20 and sit about to play the nickle slots. Unlike a lot of people who go to a casino to win money, we go for entertainment. It's fun watching the machines and listening to the sounds, and watching people. As soon as one of us finishes off the pile of coins we start off with, we leave -- happy to have had a few hours entertainment and happy not to be really broke.

Once the ceremonial drum was set up in the center of the sacred circle, the program began with a number of gourd dances.

According to the official program, only gourd dancers can dance during the gourd dance. The dancing itself is very simple, with the men standing in place and lifting their heels to the beat of the drum while they shake their rattles or gourds. The dances were begun by the Head Gourd Dancer, in this case a Charles Chibitty.

As you can see from the photos, the dress for the gourd dance was not elaborate. Some of it was traditional and some modern-day, every-day clothing.

My husband and I were both fascinated by one older gentleman and looked him up at his tent during a break in the festivities. This man was Charles Chibitty, the Head Gourd Dancer. He was full of conversation, and quite happy to visit with us until his name was called over the P.A. system.

Mr. Chibitty is a Comanche born in Oklahoma in 1921. He was an active participant in WWII and had many medals to wear on his sash.

When the Gourd Dancing was brought to a close, a short break was given to prepare for the Grand Entrance Ceremony. We watched as participants scurried around gathering flags and putting the finishing touches on their costumes.

The Grand Entrance Ceremony was indeed grand. There were probably upwards of 100 participants in the ceremony, children and adults alike. Again, as we'd seen in the Gourd Dancing, costumes varied -- some quite elaborately Native American, some a mixture of traditional and modern day, and some simply modern, every day dress. The ceremony consisted of a march/dance around the sacred circle led by flag bearers and a prayer. It was quite impressive.