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Dancing for the generations
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| H&N photos by Andrew Mariman Westley Witcraft will represent his family in the competition powwow today during the 20th annual Restoration Celebration in Chiloquin. |
August 25, 2006
W She didn't want her children to go through the same things she did and saw powwows and dancing as a way to prevent that, she said.
Westley buys his own clothes with earnings from competition powwows. He's looking ahead to graduation and possibly attending Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., or a school in Montana.
Wherever Westley goes and whatever does, he said he plans to return during the summers to participate in the Restoration Celebration and other powwows. Dancing is just a part of who he is.
“They encourage me to just keep on doing it,” he said of his family.estley Witcraft enjoys basketball, track and is trying out for football for the first time at Klamath Union High School this fall.
But another physically demanding activity is something the 17-year-old truly loves to do.
The KU senior and Klamath Paiute tribe member is just one of seven children in his family who participate in powwows and other traditional dancing events.
Westley takes pride and finds joy in what he does. Powwows and dancing connect him to his heritage and keeps him from problems that have troubled his family in the past.
He began participating in powwows as soon as he could walk, around the age of 14 months, said his mother, Joni Townsend Witcraft. He joined other young children in the dance area and became used to the sights, sounds and movements that take place during a powwow.
Older brothers were an inspiration, and because they were traditional dancers, Westley decided that was the form of dancing he also wanted to do.
As he became older, Westley traveled to other powwows and began constructing his own regalia to wear during dances. He made the fabric portion of his outfit as well as some of his featherwork. Relatives and friends also helped.
Westley, who is now considered one of the best dancers in the tribes, was chosen to have his photo on the posters advertising the Restoration Celebration.
“I'm very honored the tribe has chosen him to represent the powwow,” Joni said.
One of the reasons the Klamath Tribes have a competition powwow during their annual Restoration Celebration is to provide a positive activity for tribal youth, Joni said. It is a goal she advocates because of personal experience.
Joni was a young girl when the Tribes lost federal recognition in 1954. The event devastated her mother, causing her to turn to alcohol, Joni said.
She grew up with pain and bitterness and began to follow the same course. She'd been involved in powwow since she was young, and it provided a relief and release from her troubles.
Gradually, Joni said, she worked past her problems.
By TY BEAVER
H&N Staff Writer
Restoration Celebration competition powwow
Where: Chiloquin High School Football Field
Admission: Free
When: Today, beginning at 7 p.m.
Saturday, noon and 7 p.m.
Sunday, beginning at noon
Dance forms
Traditional: Carry eagle feathers, dance for their people's hunting and gathering rights.
Grass: Dance for their people's prayers.
Fancy: A newer style that is more physical and based on endurance.
W She didn't want her children to go through the same things she did and saw powwows and dancing as a way to prevent that, she said.
Westley buys his own clothes with earnings from competition powwows. He's looking ahead to graduation and possibly attending Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kan., or a school in Montana.
Wherever Westley goes and whatever does, he said he plans to return during the summers to participate in the Restoration Celebration and other powwows. Dancing is just a part of who he is.
“They encourage me to just keep on doing it,” he said of his family.estley Witcraft enjoys basketball, track and is trying out for football for the first time at Klamath Union High School this fall.
But another physically demanding activity is something the 17-year-old truly loves to do.
The KU senior and Klamath Paiute tribe member is just one of seven children in his family who participate in powwows and other traditional dancing events.
Westley takes pride and finds joy in what he does. Powwows and dancing connect him to his heritage and keeps him from problems that have troubled his family in the past.
He began participating in powwows as soon as he could walk, around the age of 14 months, said his mother, Joni Townsend Witcraft. He joined other young children in the dance area and became used to the sights, sounds and movements that take place during a powwow.
Older brothers were an inspiration, and because they were traditional dancers, Westley decided that was the form of dancing he also wanted to do.
As he became older, Westley traveled to other powwows and began constructing his own regalia to wear during dances. He made the fabric portion of his outfit as well as some of his featherwork. Relatives and friends also helped.
Westley, who is now considered one of the best dancers in the tribes, was chosen to have his photo on the posters advertising the Restoration Celebration.
“I'm very honored the tribe has chosen him to represent the powwow,” Joni said.
One of the reasons the Klamath Tribes have a competition powwow during their annual Restoration Celebration is to provide a positive activity for tribal youth, Joni said. It is a goal she advocates because of personal experience.
Joni was a young girl when the Tribes lost federal recognition in 1954. The event devastated her mother, causing her to turn to alcohol, Joni said.
She grew up with pain and bitterness and began to follow the same course. She'd been involved in powwow since she was young, and it provided a relief and release from her troubles.
Gradually, Joni said, she worked past her problems.
By TY BEAVER
H&N Staff Writer
Restoration Celebration competition powwow
Where: Chiloquin High School Football Field
Admission: Free
When: Today, beginning at 7 p.m.
Saturday, noon and 7 p.m.
Sunday, beginning at noon
Dance forms
Traditional: Carry eagle feathers, dance for their people's hunting and gathering rights.
Grass: Dance for their people's prayers.
Fancy: A newer style that is more physical and based on endurance.
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| Working hard for the felines |
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phillip wrote on Feb 1, 2009 1:43 AM:
" I'm looking for 100+ acreas of land with anual running water, stream, etc, with tree's, as forested as posible, am going to build a cabin for me to retire, thank you. "
Stephanie Patterson Southwell wrote on Oct 4, 2008 6:19 PM:
" I came across this article and find it very interesting. My grandad was the "Southwell" in Southwell & Stilwell :) My dad and uncles were raised in Klamath Falls until they moved to the Portland area. "
Margaret wrote on Apr 29, 2008 11:19 AM:
" It appears the two negative reader comments are associated with the wrong article, as they do not seem to relate. It's unfortunate they are appearing after reading such a nice article about this concert. "
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Rebecca T wrote on Jul 10, 2009 9:16 PM: