As the powwow season came to an end, the Anishinaabe Friendship Center, or AFC, presented the first Annual Dance by the River Pow Wow September 28-29 to honor the cultural significance of the ancestral powwow grounds of the Anishinaabe people at the Adado Riverfront Park in Lansing, Michigan.

Historically, the Lansing Indigenous name is Nkwejong, which means “where the rivers meet.” Traditionally, Indigenous people traveled on the river and, according to elders, the Lansing area has always been a gathering place.

This year’s powwow was a major milestone that coincided with Native American Day. After a pause since 2019, it’s finally returned, with hopes of establishing it as an annual event to restore the Anishinaabe presence in Lansing.

In conjunction with the Dance by the River Pow Wow, Aja Washington and the Anishinaabe Friendship Center also partnered with United Tribes of Michigan and state legislators to host a Legislative Day/Exhibition on the steps of State Capitol on September 25. Speakers included Eva Menefee; Kevin Leonard, Ph.D., director of the Native American Institute; Frank Ettawageshik, CEO of United Tribes; state Rep. Carrie Rheinghans; Nichole Biber, Ph.D.; Aarin Dokum; Sen. Jeff Irwin; and Andrea Pierce, Anishinabek Caucus. Dancers from around the area performed to drum music provided by Sharp Feather.

Having key advocates like Leonard, director of the Native American Institute at Michigan State University and a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, played a significant part in making this powwow and exhibition a reality. “[This] is really our opportunity to let state politicians and state legislators know that we are here and our vote matters, and we need them to support our initiatives and the bills to make lives better for our people,” Leonard said.

In the past, the Lansing Native Center led the powwow, which was later taken over by community members Eva and Robin Menefee, who played crucial roles in organizing the event. However, a lack of support led to a hiatus. Aja Washington, chair of the AFC and member of the Wasauksing First Nation, stepped in to revive the powwow, seeking the blessing of Eva and Robin for their experience and guidance.

“My main goal is to make sure that the powwow continues and that we include as many young people as we can, so that one day when we can’t run it anymore, there are people that have been taught and can continue our cultural practice,” Washington said.

By: Luz Vazquez for MSU Today