Drums, dancers livestream as virus moves powwows online
Felicia Fonseca, Associated Press
Updated 10:50 am CDT, Friday, April 10, 2020
Photo: Elaine Thompson, AP
In this photo taken Saturday, April 4, 2020, moderator Whitney Rencountre, a Crow Creek Dakota tribal member, is seen on a screen from Rapid City, S.D., as he talks with Wakiyan Cuny, a Dakota and Lakota tribal member, during a live streamed powwow, in Puyallup, Wash. The largest powwows in the country have been canceled or postponed amid the spread of the coronavirus. Tribal members have found a new outlet online with the Social Distance Powwow. They're sharing videos of colorful displays of culture and tradition that are at their essence meant to uplift people during difficult times.
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) The names pop up quickly on Whitney Rencountre's computer screen, and he greets them as he would in person.
What's up, y'all? Shout out to you. How's it going? Ya'at'eeh. Good to see you, relatives.
He spots someone from the Menominee Nation, a Wisconsin tribe that hosts competitive dancers, singers and drummers in traditional regalia in late summer.
Beautiful powwow there, he says.
The emcee from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe in South Dakota typically is on the powwow circuit in the spring, joining thousands of others in colorful displays of culture and tradition that are at their essence meant to uplift people during difficult times. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the gatherings are taking on a new form online.
More:
https://www.chron.com/news/article/Drums-dancers-livestream-as-virus-moves-powwows-15191721.php#photo-19281087
Social Distance Pow Wow website:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/832568190487520/