With steady rain outside and chilly temperatures throughout the day in West Michigan, attendees at the 25th annual “All Walks of Life Traditional” Powwow at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich., enjoyed the comfort of being indoors on Saturday. Attendees were immersed in the sounds of drumming and singing as traditional Native dancers filled the powwow dance arena.
The powwow drew a record crowd, according to Tiburcio Lince, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs at Grand Valley State University.
George Martin served as head veteran.
Leading the dancers into the dance arena was Korean War veteran George Martin (Lac Courte Oreilles), who served as head veteran dancer. A well-respected elder in the Great Lakes region, Martin, who turned 90 years old last December, was recognized by the Native American Student Association during the welcome address with a blanket dance.
Shannon Martin (Gun Lake Tribe) served as the powwow emcee. Mike Medawis, language coordinator at Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, served as the powwow arena director. The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Bodewadmi Ogitchedaw Society carried in the flags. Nancy Krogmann served as the powwow coordinator.
All photographs by Levi Rickert.
