Annual Pow Wow pays tribute to Native Americans
By RAVAE EDWARDS
News Tribune

ELDON, Mo. -- The Fifth Annual Osage River Pow Wow this weekend played host to several hundred Native Americans, vendors and spectators who turned out to pay tribute to Native American heritage.

"Our turnout this year was down a little, but all in all, it was a great event and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves," said Janet Dudley, president of the Circle of the Red Road, which sponsors Pow Wow.

"We host the event (which is held at the Miller County Fairgrounds in Eldon) every year to raise money for Native Americans who are in need, and this is our biggest fund raising event."

The money raised is donated to various Native American college funds and used to assist with food and clothing for Native Americans across the United States.

Larry Sellers was the featured guest at this year's event. Sellars, a former co-star of the CBS series "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman," greeted guests and signed autographs.

Sellers is an Osage Indian who has several relatives in the Mid-Missouri area. "I think these (Pow Wows) are extremely important to indigenous people and especially important because it helps to mold our young people and give them a good foundation," Sellers said.

Although he enjoys attending Pow Wows, Sellers said his schedule does not always cooperate. "This is one of very few that I have the chance to go to each year," he said. "I love them and I would definitely appear at more of them if my schedule would permit."

Sellers will make another Mid-Missouri appearance at the Robert Woolery Sr. Memorial Pow Wow in Sedalia, which is set for July 15-17. That event will be held at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

Male and female dancers from all tribes performed authentic dances and participated in ancient ceremonies throughout the weekend. The dancers dressed in authentic regalia that reflects the spirit and customs of the tribes who were honored.

"We dress in regalia, not costumes. Our clothing is authentic and is very important to us. Every article has a meaning and the living history it represents," Dudley said.

"The dancers come here from all over. Megan Macey, a 16-year-old from St. James, has danced with us several times. She is a great dancer and a great singer. She is a descendent of Indian Princess Pocahontas and she does an absolutely beautiful job dancing, as do all of the dancers," Dudley said.

Dudley said the event takes an entire year to prepare. "We will start on the plans for next year's Pow Wow this week," she said. "Our committee works very hard, and since we are a non-profit organization, we could use more support."

A DQ Times member shares her experience meeting Larry at this event

Over Memorial Day weekend my family went to the Upper Current River Powwow in Salem, Missouri where we met Larry Sellers. Larry spoke to the audience and sang a traditional Native song. He had a booth where he was selling his personal CD's and t-shirts. The kids and I talked to him for a while and found him to be the nicest, most down-to-earth guy you could ever want to meet. He had my grandson Joe blushing when he teased him that the reason he had teeth missing was because he'd been kissing the girls.

The kids even got to join in with the intertribal dancers a couple of times. Lots of fun, sun and frybread!