Johnny White Bull has been a Native American dancer for most of his life.
He comes from the Huffs Church area in Berks County and has connections to the Cheyenne, Lakota, and Cherokee tribes. He mentioned that he also has Russian, Hungarian, and Irish heritage, so he considers himself to be fully American. He shared this while taking a break from the PowWow. The event was being held in Pottstown for the 11th year.
Despite the persistent drizzle, White Bull, notable for his long white hair, was there to perform at the 'Grand Opening' ceremony of the PowWow event.
White Bull explained that dancing is his way of staying connected with his creator, praying, and expressing gratitude for everything.
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Dancers were waiting to enter for the Grand Opening of the event on Saturday.
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Val Korbin was demonstrating one of the Native American flutes he makes for his business, Hawkeye's Nest. His booth was one of many at the PowWow on the Manatawny.
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Joachim Werebber from Arizona performed the 'Grass Dance,' which is carried out by native Americans of the plains to flatten the grass before a gathering.
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During Saturday's PowWow on the Manatawny in Pottstown's Riverfront Park, Star Mother told Native American stories and distributed coupons for Bear Hugs.
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Jonathen Eaca, a dancer, spoke about how in his younger days, the younger generation was not allowed to dance. Consequently, now that they have the freedom to do so, he wants to improve and represent their traditions even better.
He was in Pottstown wearing the vibrant clothing of the southern Ute tribe of Colorado. Despite this, he lives near the ocean in Brigantine (N.J.) and enjoys the coastal lifestyle.
Val Korbin was present at the PowWow to showcase and sell the wooden Native American flutes that he has been creating for two decades.
It all started when he was young and wanted a flute but couldn't afford one. Therefore, he taught himself how to make them.
Most of his flutes are made from hardwoods, which are more challenging to work with but produce a clearer sound. He uses a lot of fruit woods, stating that they produce the sweetest sounds.
According to Korbin, all Native American flutes have the mouthpiece at the top. Flutes held off the side, known as 'transverse' flutes, are a colonial addition.
Star Mother, known as Pat Harbach outside of PowWow events, recounted Native American stories to the audience, including tales of Turtle Mother, a rattlesnake, and bear hugs.
Her tale about the turtle might have inspired the name of the non-profit group, Reflections of Turtle Island, which oversees the organization of the PowWow, among other things.
At one point, Harbach walked around the dance circle handing out coupons for bear hugs and demonstrating them. Emcee Barry Lee warned not to attempt to use the coupon with a real black or grizzly bear, so as not to provoke the bear.
Joachim Werebber and his girlfriend Dastyn Loyd came from Colorado to perform the "Grass Dance."
Lee explained that for the plains Native Americans, living in the grass lands means dealing with very tall grass, sometimes up to their knees or hips. Before a PowWow or gathering, a "Grass Dance" would be performed to flatten the grass so everyone could see each other.
The green strands on Werebber’s outfit represent the handfuls of grass that Grass Dancers would grab during their performance and attach to themselves.
Matt and Chris Clair, who are from the Pocono town of Weatherly, have been dancers for many years.
Chris Clair humorously mentioned that many people have asked them how they perform certain moves, and now they are doing it again.
Ron Williams helped to establish the PowWow with Harbach, Lee, and a few others. He told the enthusiastic crowd that the location where Manatawny Creek and the Schuylkill River meet “is an ideal place to fish.”He stated that “there was no settlement we know of in this area,” but it seems likely that such a great fishing spot would be a good place for a gathering.
He mentioned that a PowWow “is not a religious gathering. That is done in private.”
This particular gathering, the 11th in Pottstown, made special efforts to show respect for veterans, including Williams who spent 24 years in the Army and Navy.
Jonathen Eaca, who lives near the ocean in South Jersey, explains the regalia of the Ute tribe which he is wearing for the dances at the PowWow on the Mantawny Saturday in Pottstown’s Riverfront Park.
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Chris and Matt Clair were this year’s Head Dancers at this year’s PowWow on the Mantawny in Pottstown’s Riverfront Park.
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The Itchy Dog Singers were among the guest drums providing music for Saturday’s dancers at the PowWow on the Manatawny.
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Johnny Three Eagles led a march of veterans as part of the Grand Entry during Saturday’s PowWow on the Manatawny in Pottstown’s Riverfront Park.
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Just before the “grand entrance,” Army veteran Johnny Three Eagles led a small procession of veterans and Pottstown Police officers around the circle. The year’s Head Veteran is an Air Force veteran named Seeker, but he is confined to a wheelchair so Three Eagles assisted with some of his duties.
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After the “Grand Entrance,” the circle filled with traditional dancers, and all veterans were invited to join in. Lee also asked everyone present to honor all emergency service workers, EMTs, firefighters, and medical professionals for their efforts during the pandemic.
Different dances then began, accompanied by the host “drum,” Medicine Horse Singers, and the guest drums, Grey Cloud Singers, Itchy Dog Singers, and Stoney’s Boys.
Different dances then started, accompanied by the main “drum,” Medicine Horse Singers, and the guest drums, Grey Cloud Singers, Itchy Dog Singers, and Stoney’s Boys.
The event lasted for two days and ended on Sunday, with the same operating hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
