Adorned in colorful regalia, Native American Chief’s and Vice-Chiefs from all over the state, joined Chief John Glenn Creel and Vice Chief Donnie Creel in opening ceremonies for the 48th Annual Pow Wow of the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe of South Carolina. Veterans, police, and emergency medical workers were also honored in the parade which included tribal dancers and drummers.
Also featured in the opening parade following the flags, was Head Man, Michael Muckelvaney, Head Lady, Sierra Russell, and Little Miss Edisto, Alijah Coleman.
The event was held at 964 US78, Ridgeville, in partnership with the Dorchester Heritage Center. Native American Pow Wows are celebrated nationwide as a means for individual tribes to celebrate time honored traditions and cultures.
“This is our 48th year of keeping our culture alive and sharing it with our communities,” Chief Creel said in opening remarks.
Creel also invited the public to come on May 11 for ground breaking of the new tribal headquarters, the Robert Davidson Community Center at 113 Tee Pee Road, Ridegeville, S.C.
Cash prizes were given during the day for drum and dance competitions. The dance competitions, all performed in full regalia, included every age from tiny tots to adults.
The “potato dance”, open to the public, was where participants danced while balancing a potato on the forehead. A fifty-dollar cash prize was given to the last couple remaining who did not drop or touch the potato with their hands.
