At Greg Paton Studios, our concentration is on original cowboy and Western art through the mediums of oil painting, drawing, watercolor and photography.
But, unbeknownst to me, art isn’t everything.
We recognize there are many talented and diverse people who deserve our attention and recognition for what they and we are attempting to do – make a better world.
Powwows, as many are unaware, are a celebration of the past, present and future by honoring the land, its bounty and our ancestors.
A Powwow is both sacred ritual and social engagement. Uniquely, its Native American origins center around peace, cooperation and coexistence, a shared humanity, as a Powwow is a “gathering of the tribes.”
Traditionally, at the center of all Powwows, is a large circle. The circle is symbolic: it represents mother earth and the drums the beat of her heart; it is life and death and renewal; it is the creator; it is an eternal continuum where past, present and future are but one; it is memorial ground; it is sacred ritual to follow the circle round but never to cross through the circle.
The formal start to a Powwow is the Grand Entry. The Grand Entry honors the brave and the fallen as the Native American Veteran Honor Guard leads the solemn procession into the circle. With scheduled breaks, there are prayers given and a moment of silence respecting those who have passed over. Native American dignitaries speak. Then the powwow breaks out growing in volume. The public is asked to join. Finally, the Powwow accelerates into the main event – dance competition.
Thought I’d throw in a painting. Hey, why not?
The dances are part of powwow tradition, viewed now as friendly competition, but inspired and in tribute to mother earth and her bounty.
These lasts images are the sights and sounds of the Snow Mountain Paiute Pow Wow at the end of the Grand Entry ceremony…
…but before the dance competition heats up…
…as Jingle Dress performers practice their routines in lockstep…
…as others take photos…
…or share a laugh…
…with an occasional disruption…
Powwow dances may include: Fancy Shawl, Grass, Jingle Dress, Men’s Chicken Traditional (Prairie Hen), Women’s traditional, Men’s traditional, Hoop, and Gourd and are seen HERE.
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