Auburndale Pow Wow for the Buffalo 2010

This year's Auburndale pow wow ran through 2 weekends.  The first of which was the coldest week Florida has seen since the 70's.  It was just plain frigid, we had sleet and snow on Saturday, but we kept the pow wow on.  People did actually come out and visit, they had the drum and dancers inside the Big Top tent the first weekend and only about 8 of us Hardy Vendors stayed open through the cold.  The second weekend was Beautiful and we pow wow'd as Normal.  Ken was working the pow wow, so I managed to get some pictures, but not a lot.  I also got some video of the Hawaiians doing their dances.  You can see the videos on my you tube here: http://www.youtube.com/Spiderwrulf

Guess who won a Powwows.com Shirt!! Hee hee, I got 8th place in the Scavenger Hunt.  Yikes, I know I have gained so much weight since I quit smoking (**Going on 3 years April 13**)  I am really not liking pictures of myself lately, but I thought it only fair since:

Gene doesn't like pictures of himself either and I knew I would post this pic   I think this is a Really Good pic of him, What do y'all think? 

The Aztec Dancers were there as well, I just love these native Peoples!!  There was some controversy about the Hawaiians and the Aztecs, some said that they are Not Native Americans and shouldn't be at the pow wow.  Well, categorizing them as Americans may be questionable, However they are Indigenous People (Native People) of their land, and therefore I feel they should be welcomed at the pow wows.  And while I am offering my opinion on such things, I might add that Some NDN's think they are the Only NDN's, and refuse to acknowledge any other tribes and ways.  I have no respect for people that think this way, cuz that is Not the NDN way.  That being said, on to sweeter words.

Of course there was much time spent with the Buffalo, which I think is the Best part of this pow wow.  I missed a chance to get a picture of Little Bear nose to nose with a Buffalo through the fence because I was in such awe when it happened! 

And in closing, it turned out to be a wonderful pow wow, as always.  We make of each situation what it is.   On January 15th, 2009 my "twin" crossed over and I never got to re-connect with her.  I have been wrestling with my emotions on this since I learned of it.  This weekend I danced in the circle for her and her family and children that she left behind, she was an EMT and as we honor Veterans of War, so should we remember the warriors at home that protect us; the Firemen, EMT, and Police. 

The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility. ~Proverbs 15:33

Auburndale ~ Pow wow for the Buffalo

The pow wow runs 2 weekends this year.  This first weekend was 20 Degrees F!!!  We have been to some Cold pow wows, but this is crazy for Floriduh!!!  But we Survived and Sunday was a Good Pow Wow and Next Weekend should be much warmer, of course a refrigerator is much warmer than what we went through this weekend, just don't think we could fit all those dancers in there.

During the week the Vendors will be opened from 4pm-8pm each evening and on Wednesday there will be a Media Blitz and dinner.  ***Any Dancers that can come for this would be Great.  They will have some drumming, Dancing and Exhibition by the Aztec's and Hawaiians.  The media will take photos and promote the pow wow for the coming weekend.  Then they will feed us!   It all starts around 6pm, so come on down for the Fun. 

In case anyone hasn't been here, we are at a Flea Market which has a Big Circus tent and a herd of Bison in the back.  Inside the circus tent Jim Sawgrass does his East meets West show and as I said there are Hawaiians and Aztecs that each do their dances.  You can see the Buffalo herd and some other animals they have here AND when you have seen the entire powwow, there is a Flea market to wander through!  So Come on down and spend the weekend with us. 

Come out and Pow wow with us!

Thanks and Praise to the Great Spirit for all that he provides us, for we are truly Blessed to be able to continue what we do.  Thanks to all who follow and enjoy this blog through the pow wow travels.  Thanks to Friends and Family for all the prayers that strengthen the circle of life for ALL.  Thanks to the Drummers and Singers which are the heartbeat of the pow wow, and Special Thanks to ALL Dancers and those who Dance for those who cannot. 

Buffalo Medicine

This came from one of my favorite totem pages, http://www.sayahda.com/cycle.htm ~ I got to sit with a Poppa Buffalo before we left Auburndale.  Buffalo can be hard to understand, very confusing, they can seem almost angry.  As I took his picture, without asking first, he snorted and opened his eyes wide, his tail flipped angrily.  I appologized, put the camera away and began to listen.  He let me film his exit from our sitting, I was very honored.  I have highlighted some of the things that are more pertinant to my experience.

The Buffalo

The buffalo is a symbol of abundance and manifestation. Their large heads represent intelligence of a higher order and their strong bodies ground them to the earth. They are the uniting force between the mundane and the divine and hold the teachings of right action joined with prayer.

Both the bulls and the cows have horns as well as humped shoulders. Horns grow out of the head and extend to the sky indicating a connection with a higher intelligence. Humps are often symbolic of stored energy locked within the body.

The buffalo's humps are located at the shoulders. In man the shoulders hold our personal energy which expresses itself through our hands. Whatever we touch or hold onto is connected to the energy stored in the shoulders.  Shoulders carry responsibility or joy. What we carry within is manifested outwardly.  The buffalo teaches us how to eliminate our burdens by directing our energy in a balanced way.

When defending against danger, the cows will form a defensive circle around the calves and the bulls will form a circle around the cows. This symbolizes the buffalo's mutual respect for one another as well as their protective instincts to defend and honor life.

To the Plains Indians it was a symbol of sacred life and abundance. It gave the gift of life to others by sacrificing its own. It provided meat for food and hides for clothing and shelter. When tribes prepared for a buffalo hunt prayers of gratitude were offered up to great spirit. After the hunt ceremonies were performed that honored the buffalo's spirit. Without the aid of buffalo these tribes would not have survived the harsh winters.

Buffalo's can be unpredictable and dangerous when provoked. Those with this totem need to remember to see the good in all things and not let their frustration store up inside them. Tai Chi or martial arts would be of benefit on a daily basis.

The buffalo reminds us to give thanks for what we have, to respect all life forms and to honor the integrity of our own divine essence. It is a symbol of equality, sacrifice and service and can show us how to live in a state of understanding, acceptance and joy. It helps us release our self pity and awakens abundance within our consciousness.  Buffalo is a powerful medicine to have and serves as a stepping stone towards healing our imperfections and reconnecting with mother earth and father sky.

Upcoming Pow Wows!!!

We are gearing up for the following pow wows, Hope to see some of y'all out there.  Kick off the New Year the Pow Wow way!!!  We are going to get there Wednesday early as we can, so I can get some Chicken and Rice cookin' in the Crock Pot.  Let the kids know I got some Awesome cool Grab Bags made up  ~ gonna get beading today and tomorrow.

Don't forget to visit the Dot Com, I have the 2009 Calendar page set up. www.SixDirectionsTraders.com

 

 January 2 - 4, 2009 ~ Boomer's First Inter-tribal Gathering & Dance

Across from Webster Westside Market ~ Webster, Florida 33597

Hours Friday Noon - 10pm; Saturday 10am - 10pm; Sunday 10am - 5pm; Host Drum - Family Drum ; Grand Entry Fiday-7pm, Sat-1&7pm, Sun-2:30pm; Native American Dancing and Drumming; Food & Craft Vendors; Trade Blanket Saturday Night; Indian Auction and Raffle; 50/50 Drawing; Luck of the Draw for Dancers in Regalia; Public Welcome; Admission $2 Donation, under 12 FREE with an adult; This is a NO Drug, NO Alcohol, NO Firearm event - Bring the Kids and Lawn Chairs and spend the day! FREE Primitive Camping for Dancers - Very Limited electric available at $5 per day - Pets on Leash - NO Big Dogs! Vendors/Traders by Invitation Only - For more info contact Boomer & Teresa (Home) 352-568-2425 (Cell) 352-603-2643; John Ferguson 352-232-3378; Raven 352-232-0684

 

  January 9 - 11, 2009 ~ Spirit of the Buffalo Pow Wow

International Market World ~ Auburndale, Florida 33823

 

Festival Hours Friday 8am - 8pm; Saturday 8am - 10pm; Sunday 8am - 4pm; MC - Ric Bird ; AD - Ken Cloudwalker;  See Demonstrations of Native American crafts including Tomahawk Throwing, Bow and Arrow, Flint Knapping, Fire Making, Bead and Feather Work, and much more.  Watch East meets West Wild West Show, Drumming, and Dancing!  Indian Village with Historic Artifacts, Intertribal Dance Competition, Artisans & Crafters,  Taste Authentic Food, Native American Music, Live Buffalo - January 9th FREE Kids Day - School Busses Welcome, call for schedule, plenty of bus parking - All Pre-registered groups will receive a FREE 8 X 10 group picture in front of a Live Buffalo on Kids Day!  Food Vendors include; Smokin' Joe's BBQ, Calypso Kettle Corn, Buffalo Burgers.  From Orlando take I-4 to exit 17 off toll 570 (Polk Parkway) From Tampa take I-4 to exit 28 - US hwy 92E - Open Rain or Shine!  Campsites availableJan 2 - 12 limited electricity - Dance competition, Luck of the Draw