Powwow Trail – The Ways – PBS Wisconsin Education

How do singing and dancing provide an opportunity to bring communities together?

Contemporary powwows bring together Native Americans from many different Nations, providing opportunities to gather and celebrate. Learn how Dylan Jennings, a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, dances the Men’s Traditional dance, which for him, mimics hunting movements.

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Questions to consider

Dylan talks about walking “in two worlds” and balancing his commitments to his drum group and college. In what ways do you have to balance your own life?

Reflect on the ways your culture celebrates its identity in song and dance. Are there similarities?

A sense of place

Map with outlines of tribal lands of the Great Lakes region circa 1800. The star indicates the present-day seat of government for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, in Odanah, Wisconsin. A dotted white line indicates the present day state lines of Wisconsin.

Seal of Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

This map outlines tribal lands of the Great Lakes region circa 1800.

The star indicates the present-day seat of government for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, in Odanah, Wisconsin.

In their words

“Just from being on the powwow trail you get to learn so much about different Native nations.”

Dylan Jennings

Production credits

Producer
Finn Ryan

Videography
David Nevala

Editing
David Nevala

Photography
David Nevala

Music
“Electric Pow Wow Drum” by A Tribe Called Red
“Randy’s Song” by Midnite Express

Advisors
David O’ Connor
Aaron Bird Bear
Ryan Comfort
Tyler Blue Tarpalechee
Ben Grignon