Wendy Burton
Phoenix Staff Writer
TAHLEQUAH —
The 2010 Cherokee National Holiday brought not just visitors from around the Nation, but visitors from around the world — and many joined or watched the powwow Saturday afternoon.
“There’s such a strength being among my indigenous people,” said Deborah Cocker, who traveled from New Zealand to Tahlequah.
Cocker is the head of the Women’s Auxiliary for the Kiowa Black Legging Warrior Society.
Originally from Anadarko, Cocker ended up in New Zealand because of marriage.
“You get married; you take captives; you travel,” Cocker said, laughing. “It’s just a beautiful gathering here. I’m honored to be able to be here.”
Nonetheless, though New Zealand is thousands of miles away, Cocker may not have been the visitor who traveled the most miles to attend the holiday.
“I met a couple from Ukraine and was talking with them a little bit ago,” she said.
During the powwow, spectators gathered in knots of family and friends, relaxing in lawnchairs and sipping cold drinks.
Head lady dancer Georgia Noble was honored during the ceremonies, as well as head singer Leonard Cozad Jr., and many more.
The singers and drummers sang four songs for the “Blanket Dance” — a gift to the singers to share.
An Indian blanket was laid on the ground and the group began to drum and sing.
The men danced in the center of the ground, and the women along the sides during the dance.
Spectators and other dancers dropped money gifts onto the blanket and quickly moved off during each song.
The traditional dance is to contribute a monetary gift to the singers to help with their expenses for traveling to the powwow.
Other festivities Saturday included a parade, traditional Indian foods cook-off, arts and crafts show, fiddler contest, volleyball, Cherokee marbles, cornstalk archery and much more.
The celebration continues today from 7:30 a.m. with a golf tournament and continues until 9 p.m.
Reach Wendy Burton at 684-2926 or wburton@muskogeephoenix.com.
