It's powwow time!

Scott Csernyik

8/2/2001 12:00:00 AM

George Martin (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe) leads Grand Entry during last year's powwow. The 17th Annual Little Elk's Retreat is slated for Aug. 3-5 at the Saginaw Chippewa Campgrounds. Grand Entry times will be 7 p.m. on Friday, noon and 7 p.m. on Saturday, as well as noon on Sunday. The event will include dance, drum and princess contests. The Boyz are scheduled as the host drum, with Battle River being the special invite drum. Vince Beyl will serve as master of ceremonies for the second consecutive year, with Paul Johnson serving as arena director. Other dignitaries for the annual powwow include Head Veteran Jerry L. Kingbird Sr., Head Drum Judge Jason Kingbird and Head Dance Judge Ron Goodeagle Sr. Head dancers will be picked daily. Admission is free and powwow goers are also reminded that alcohol, drugs and pets will not be permitted. The powwow theme this year is "Honoring Our Tribal Chiefs Past and Present." The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe's annual powwow is named after Chief Little Elk, also known as Eli Thomas, who is credited with wanting to have an Indian gathering on the Isabella Reservation. Little Elk's vision was viewed as an opportunity for him to share his teachings of heritage, culture and language to Native and non-Native people. Little Elk died at the age of 92, on Aug. 5, 1990.