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DOWAGIAC, Mich. — Smoke from campfires lingered in the air as attendees gathered for the Kee Boon Mein Kaa Contest Powwow on the powwow grounds of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi in Dowagiac, Mich., on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Dozens of powwow dancers, drummers, and others camped overnight at the Rodgers Lake campground, where the powwow was held.

Little Soldier, from the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation in Mayetta, Kansas, was one of several drum groups present on Saturday.

Hundreds of attendees enjoyed the drumming, singing, and dancing beneath a sunny blue sky.

The Kee Boon Mein Kaa Contest Powwow is an annual event of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. The powwow will continues on Sunday with Grand Entry beginning at 12 noon.

All photos by Levi Rickert.

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About The Author
Levi Rickert
Author: Levi RickertEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Levi "Calm Before the Storm" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at [email protected].