20th annual Youth Powwow takes a look at social issues

The Chippewa Cree 20th Annual Youth Powwow was underway in the summer heat Thursday and held two presentations for children to take in lessons about trauma, depression, suicide prevention, bullying, respect, vaping and cultural identity. 

"Sometimes when we are stuck in that spiral downward lifestyle that drugs and alcohol can bring to you, we can show them a way out," Chippewa Cree Executive Director and Court Administrator Elinor Nault said. "There is help out there, there is support out there, you can change your life around."

During one presentation, by hip-hop artist and traditional dancer Chris Parrish Takes The Gun, professionally known as Supaman, more than 50 children came up front to listen. Supaman led the children in a variety of songs and mantras, encouraging them to feel strong and be kind to their neighbors. Asking each of them to turn to one another and say, "three good things to the person standing next to you," or "Tell the person next to you to say 'yes' to life."

He also led the children in a freestyle rap and had them help him put together a song, layering their different voices, ending with a positive message to "love one another."

Supaman also shared his life story with them.

He said that his parents, while he was growing up, were addicts, disappearing for long periods of time and getting into legal trouble. This eventually led to Social Services intervening, taking him and his brother to foster care. He added that he was told his parents would be back soon, but hours turn into days, the days turned into months, and months turned into years. He was unaware during this time his parents were going through treatment, working toward becoming sober.

"I adapted to my situation," he said, adding that he eventually became close with his foster family and when his parents eventually got healthy and sober he didn't want to go back to them because his foster family was his new family.

"And it broke my mom and dad's hearts, it broke my heart, it broke everybody's hearts," Supaman said. "And I learned that's what addiction does. That's what pills do, or that's what meth does, that's what alcohol does, it breaks the hearts of the people you love the most." 

A few years later his father relapsed and died. After that, after his mother lost her life partner, he said, she swore off drinking forever and raised him and his brother. He added that she was one of the reasons he had also sworn off alcohol and drugs, because he saw first-hand what it can do.

He said in an interview that he was happy he was able to get the children to engage with his presentation.

"It's always a task to have them come up front and engage like that, so when you get that, it's a treat," he added.

His presentation has evolved over time, going through trial and error so see what is the most effective way to approach the children, he said. People have walls when they meet people, because they don't know the other person, but humor is one of the most effective ways to get people to lower their walls, he added.

"I learned through performing how to bring that wall down," he said.

Supaman added that his favorite part was after the presentation, because children and adults alike came up to him and talked to him about the topics discussed in his presentation.

"The kids tuned into the message," he said.

The art and music is another tool he uses to get and retain the children's attention. It's fun for them but it also keeps them engaged so he can speak with them about the real issues.

"That's what you really want them to to take home with them into their communities," he said.

He said that on the reservations, Native Americans have one side their culture but then there's another world they have to live in outside the reservation.

"How do we walk in these two worlds and kind of have that balance of life in both worlds," he said. "... This circle right here, this sky, that's where we stay connected is with our culture, with who we are and that give us strength to fight those things like drugs and alcohol."

He added that he also had brought his son, Brayden, who helped him with his presentation by opening with a song and prayer.

Nault said the tribe's tobacco prevention program, the wellness coalition and the temporary assistance for needy families helped get Supaman at the event this year.

"It was the first time I've seen him," she said. "I've heard of him in the past and I've heard that the other communities really enjoyed his presentation, so I thought it was important that he come and do a presentation for our community." 

She said what she found important about his message was to make sure youth and families understand the importance of powwow and how it can be used as a way to live a healthy lifestyle. Powwow is about friendships, relationships, visiting and making sure they understand that long ago it was a celebration ceremony when their people would come together to celebrate.

"We want to try to bring that knowledge back to the youth," she said. "That it's not about contests and it's not about competing, the intent is to make sure they understand it's a ceremony and it's about social gathering where you just dance and sing and have a good time."

She added that she was very pleased with how Supaman was able to engage the youth and keep their attention throughout his presentation.

"So many times we talk at the youth and we don't engage them in the presentation and he did an awesome job engaging them," she said.

The reason the wellness coalition requested his presentation, as well as a presentation by Curtis Smeby for the Zero Suicide Program is because the community health assessment found the community was concerned about trauma, drugs and alcohol and substance abuse, vaping and suicide.

She said they wanted to bring presenters, resources and knowledge on how to be good to one another, help one another love one another.

"We have to encourage that," she said.

Youth Powwow

Nault said the Youth Powwow is a traditional powwow, not contemporary, and because no large prizes were offered, they did not expect many dancers to turn out, but more than 170 dancers registered and danced at the event. She added that the high turnout shows that youth don't just want to come out for the money, they enjoy dancing and singing and celebrating with one another.

This year was also the 20th annual powwow, she said. She added that her son Daryl Wright II started the event in 1999, his father Daryl Wright I helping him organize. It started because they wanted to bring the youth into the circle and make sure they are aware it's fun, it's healthy and it is a great way to connect with people. 

"It's just important to encourage them to be part of the powwow, it's not all about contests, we just wanted to make sure they knew that," Nault said. "We wanted to make sure that our local youth knew about a traditional powwow."

She added that she is thankful to all the sponsors of the powwow, including the tribal government, roads department, social services, the wellness coalition, TANF and the Rocky Boy Health Board.