David Douglas School District holds successful, first-ever POWWOW

INCLUDES VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS | Discover why and how this newly-minted celebration of Native American culture in outer East Portland seemed so delightful for so many …

In the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood inside Ron Russell Middle School, here’s Desiree Martinez offering prize tickets at the first David Douglas School District Powwow.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

After regular hours, Ron Russell Middle School took on a new vibrancy on Friday, April 18th – it was the David Douglas School District (DDSD) Powwow getting underway.

Chairs were set up in the school’s Cafetorium where guests sat and chatted, while Native American drumming groups set up in front of the stage. Other visitors circulated among the vendors set up in the hallway.

Ready to drum is event organizer and Native American Parent Advisory Committee Co-Chair Joshua Miller.

One of the organizers was Joshua Miller, who explained to East Portland News, “Hosted by the David Douglas High School Indigenous Student Union, and the Native American Parent Advisory Committee – of which I’m its Co-Chair – we created this free event that’s open to our entire David Douglas Community.”

Miller – who is affiliated with the North Dakota and rehabilitated tribes (their official designation) Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation – smiled, as this first-ever DDSD Powwow came together.

Olivia Franklin of Dinetah Trading Company, a Navajo-owned business, sells handmade jewelry guest Isaac Gervais.

The Portland All Nations Canoe Family performs the “Bear Song”, with lyrics referencing the bear’s origins and its purpose.

“One of our students requested we try to put together a Powwow before he graduated in June of this year,” Miller went on. “So, we started working on it! We made really good connections with the DDSD office, and met a lot of other people who helped us make this happen!

“The simplest way to describe a ‘Powwow’ is as a gathering where we do a lot of traditional dancing,” Miller explained. “We share all the different styles of dancing and drumming of many tribes, from all over the place – not just from here; they come from everywhere to share songs and dances.”

Many in traditional Native American regalia, the participants gather as the program begins.

To the beat of drums, the “Grand Entry” begins.

Considering the gathering more broadly, Miller continued, “It’s a way to build community, and to share our very diverse culture among ourselves – and also with our neighbors who live in our community.”

The drummers started, signaling the “Grand Entry” and the Color Guard Presentation – and the evening of singing and dancing was underway.

As promised, here’s our video! Perhaps this story is best presented in this exclusive video, showing highlights of this event:

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