September 20 & 21, 2008 

For 2008, Sweetwilliam Farm is proud to have Native Directions be a part of Third Annual Intertribal Powwow.  All proceedes will be going to this wonderful non-profit organizatoin.  Please visit their website at http://www.nativedirections.com 

The weekend if filled with Native American Tradition; Drumming, Dancing, Singing, Regalia, Story Telling, Flute Playing, Food, Genuine Native Gifts & Craft Vendors, Traders and a Teepee. 

                        
Details:
Saturday - noon - 5pm
Sunday - noon - 4pm
Parking $5.00
Please not, most vendors accept cash only, some do take credit cards

2007  Powwow 

Please note, the 2007 Powwow will be held in the back of the property, not at the store lot.  Follow posted signs.

The Honor Guard is has joined us this for our 2007 Powwow. They are carrying with them one of the flags flown on the World Trade Center,when it destroyed 9-11-01.  There is a special ceremony during the grand entry honoring the flag. (around noon) The flag will then be on display for the rest of the day.  This is a fantastic honor for us at Sweetwilliam Farm!

Our host drum, Kicking Wapiti, has a blog with fun information and pitures:

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-87r9QEs6cqWM1VgmccpkCU1hxVGRPA--?cq=1

Follow this link to view pictures from our 2007 powwow: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9357252@N02/sets/72157602680603474/

 2006 Powwow

Our first annual powwow was held on our store lot on a wonderful fall weekend in October.  All who came had fun!

Everybody powwow!

 
The following was compiled by Somaiya Rowland of Upton, who wrote her own newspaper page and feature article for a school project. (Oct 2006)  

Sweet William Farm Hosts A Pow Wow

By Somaiya Rowland, 3^rd Grade

Upton Memorial School, MA

Something special happened on October 14th and 15th.  A Pow Wow was held in Upton for the first time ever at Sweet William Farm. 

Everywhere you looked there was jewelry made with silver, leather, fur, turquoise, shells, bone, and other natural objects.  You could buy clothing, beads, masks, sage, feathers, moccasins, dream catchers, drums, wooden flutes, and Native American crafts.  A real tepee was set up.  It was brought by one of the Indian families who stayed in it all weekend.  Chants were sung.  Drums were played all afternoon.  A Native American family sang traditional songs. Dancers dressed in many colors and performed very old dances like the Grass Dance to the beat of drums.  One dance was only for children to participate in.  Candy was thrown on the grass and children had to find it and pick it up quickly before the drums stopped playing.  Indians from many different tribes and people who weren’t Native American at all attended the pow wow.

This year the Sweet William Farm Pow Wow was a great success.  Many people came and learned about Native American Indian traditions.  I think the Pow Wow will be even bigger and better next year.

A Meaningful Experience

My mom Wendy has Shawnee ancestors.  She attended the Upton pow wow.  I interviewed her about her experience.

Q.  What did you enjoy about the Pow Wow?

A.  Everything: the dancing, listening to the language of the drums, the artwork, the reverence and respect for tradition.

Q.  What did you enjoy most at the Upton Pow Wow?

A.  The ceremonial regalia.  A dancer's regalia is a collection of gifts that honor the dancer’s spiritual name.  It is sacred and is not be touched by anyone but the dancer.

Q  Did you meet any Indian families?

A.  Yes.  I met Butterfly Woman who lives in Worcester, MA.  Her family brought a tepee to the pow wow.  She has five children.  Her eight year old daughter Many Ponies was the youngest dancer.  Her 16 year old son performed the Grass Dance

Q.  What is the Grass Dance?

A.  It is an old traditional dance used to prepare and define the dance circle by crushing down the grass.

Q  Is it true the fire has a special meaning?

A.  The sacred fire symbolizes the presence and blessing of the Great Spirit and is kept burning continuously day and night during the pow wow.

Q.  Did it surprise you to see flags at the pow wow?

A.  No.  The flags represent all the Indian Nations.  There were five flags displayed:  The Native American Flag called the Staff of Many Eagle Feathers by Native Americans, the American Flag, the Veterans Flag, the MIA/POW Flag, and the hosting tribe’s flag.

Q. Why did you enjoy the drumming so much?

A.  Drums symbolize the heartbeat of Native American People and the pulse of the universe.

Q.  Do you think pow wows are important?

A.  Yes.  Pow wows today celebrate and keep tradition alive. They help visitors better understand Native American culture, spirituality, and tribal customs.

Great Job Somaiya!