The Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow in Siletz is a three-day event featuring a royalty pageant, dancing, competitions, food vendors, and a community salmon dinner. Participants, including tribal members and visitors from across the U.S., prepare by practicing dances, sewing regalia, and cooking for attendees. The event symbolizes resilience and serves as an opportunity to welcome others into the tribal community. The pow-wow emphasizes connections to Mother Earth, creating a spiritual link through dance and prayer for healing, love, and peace.
"For me, these steps aren't just a dance, it's reconnecting with Mother Earth, with water and air," she said. "I feel like when I'm dancing I'm putting my feet on Mother Earth, and my prayer connects me to the other person."
"This pow-wow is unique to us," said Tina Retasket, a tribal elder, former council member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, and event vendor. Pow-wows originated in the Midwest and each one may look a little different."
"It's one of our ways we open up our tribal community," Retasket said. "We welcome people."
"The pow-wow is a celebration and itself an example of resilience. It's a time to welcome the community, which might be surprising to some if they knew the history, Retasket said."
#nesika-illahee-pow-wow #siletz-tribe #native-american-culture #community-resilience #cultural-celebration
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