Glossary (Mother’s Day)

tangible: adj. concrete; something which can be seen or held mother figure: n. phrase. person who acts as a mother in a child’s life such as a grandmother, stepmother, aunt, sister, good friend

household: adj. relating to the home honor(ed): v. to remember with respect and thanks reformer: n. person who works to bring about social change

perseverance: n. trying again and again without giving up

minister: n. the religious leader in a Protestant church determined: adj. stubbornly certain of attaining a goal service: n. a weekly or special religious ceremony gen­erally held in a church or other place of worship proclaim(ed): v. to officially name; to declare gravesite(s): n. place where a person is buried

Glossary (Father’s Day)

father figure(s): n. phrase. person who acts as a father in a child’s life

such as a grandfather, stepfather, uncle, brother, good friend

treat(ed): v. to give or provide without cost, such as a meal or entertainment

Lions Club: n. an international volunteer organization assisting those in need with such things as vision and health screening, supporting eye hospitals, and assisting youth

promoter: n. supporter

sermon: n. a speech delivered in public, usually by a religious leader as part of a religious gathering outstanding: adj. very special; high quality; excellent veteran: n. one who has been a member of the armed forces (army, navy, etc.) appreciation: n. thankfulness

sacrifice(s): n. something given up in exchange for some­thing else; e. g., to give up one’s opportunity in order to help another person be successful single parent: n. phrase. one parent alone raising a child or children approach(ed): v. present someone with an idea or proposal
minister: n. a clergy or religious leader, especially in the Protestant church

dedicate(d): v. to observe or have in honor of lobby(ing): v. to urge officials or members of Congress to vote a certain way on an issue impress upon: v. phrase. to attempt to convince full measure: n. phrase. complete, entire obligation(s): n. responsibilities; duties proclamation: n. an official public announcement commemorative: adj. describing something done to remember a person or an event sentimental: adj. especially emotional whimsical: adj. funny in a light way heartfelt: adj. sincere; from the heart being there: v. phrase. being available, present, sup­portive

Mother’s Day & Father’s Day	Celebrations

A powwow is a large social gathering of Native American tribes and individuals. Every year, hundreds of powwows occur on Native American reservations and in other locations across the nation from March through August. Pow­wows are lively occasions that include tribal dance and dance competitions, drumming, singing, Indian foods, art, crafts, ed­ucational events, presentations, and in some areas, a rodeo. Despite the festive atmosphere, powwows are also spiritual occasions that involve rituals, blessings, and respectful pro­tocol. These are times for Native Americans to strengthen ties of cul­ture, community and tradition, and to celebrate heritage and history.

The word “pow-wow” comes from an Algonquin Indian word “pau-wau” or “pauau,” which re­ferred to tribal spiritual leaders and their religious and healing ceremo­nies. The ceremonies usually includ­ed dancing and rituals, which were sometimes seen by early European settlers and explor­ers. Because they did not understand Indian culture or ceremonies, they thought a “pow-wow,”—their mis­pronunciation of the Indian word— was any tribal gathering or event.

Eventually the Anglicized word be­came commonly used, even among Native Americans. Now, the word “powwow” and the event itself have come to signify and embody
the spirit and continuity of Native American cultures and people.

Two of the most essential features of a powwow are traditional dancing and drumming. At the start of a powwow, a Dance Arbor is set up and blessed in a ritual way. After this, the Dance Arbor is considered sacred space, and may be entered only by designated individuals for dancing and other special ceremo­ny. Dancers, wearing elaborate re­galia, perform traditional dances, or participate in dance competi­tions, vying for top honors and prize money.

The regalia worn by dancers are meticulously made, and may take years to complete. The designs and elements used may represent the dancer’s tribal affiliation, or com­bine features of other tribes. The outfit often includes valuable family heirlooms and sacred items such as feathers, for which there are specific rules and protocol. Some of the dancers wear bells on their wrists and ankles, which add a jingling rhythm to the dance. Others, with fancy shawls, look like delicate flying birds as they raise their arms to the beat of the drums. Grass dancers wear outfits of brightly-colored yarn or fabric rep­resenting meadow grass.

The dancers are accompanied by a group of five to ten singers, collectively called “a drum.” They

sit around a large drum, which they beat in unison as they sing. Some singers may also stand behind. Tradi­tionally all singers and drummers were male, but today many women sing and drum, and some groups are all female. Many of the songs do not have words, but con­sist entirely of syllables, called “vocables,” which con­vey the deep feeling and meaning of the song. Songs are sung four times in succession, as the number four is sa­cred to Indian culture and represents the four directions. The drumming and singing are the core of the powwow, providing a rhythmic pulse to the event.

Until the 20th century, non-Indians usually did not participate in powwows. But today, powwows are public events and open to all, providing an opportunity for Na­tive Americans to share their culture and traditions. Non – Indians can enjoy the festivities, try new foods such as “Indian fry bread,” purchase beautiful handmade goods like jewelry of silver and turquoise, finely crafted drums and flutes, pot­tery, painted gourds, and traditional clothing. They can participate in some events and dances such as the

Round Dance or Blanket Dance. And they can learn about the rich heritage and present day lives of America’s first inhabitants.

The spirit of the powwow is a continuum in Indian life. It isn’t just for a few days in March. We live this spirit on a daily basis. It is why we have survived for so long. At one time we were a forgotten people, but I think we are getting stronger. From the powwow we gain strength as Indian people, individually and collectively, to go on into the [next] century.

—Linday Yardley Taos Pueblo Indian

Glossary

reservation(s): n. a tract or parcel of land set aside for the use of a group or groups such as the Native American tribes lively: adj. active, fun, festive rodeo: n. a public performance and/or competition featuring such

activities as horse riding, bull riding, and calf roping spiritual: adj. relating to or affecting the spirit, often in a deeply religious sense

ritual(s): n. symbolic gestures to show respect, thanks, prayer, or blessing

protocol: n. a set of customs and regulations heritage: n. family, cultural, or ethnic background or line

healing: n. an action or activity meant to restore to health

Anglicize(d): adj. made more English-like in spelling,

pronunciation, custom, or manner

embody: v. to represent or contain fully

arbor: n. archway or other overhead structure

sacred: adj. holy; highly respected, usually in a religious

sense

designate(d): v. appointed; chosen for a specific purpose or task

elaborate: adj. beautifully decorat­ed; complex in detail regalia: n. special clothing or outfit worn for ceremonial purposes
vie(-ying): v. to try for or compete for

meticulously: adv. in a very careful and detailed manner

affiliation: n. association; connection

heirloom: n. cherished family treasure, such as jewelry,

that is passed down from generation to generation

jingle(-ing): adj. like the sound of a bell

shawl(s): n. long piece of cloth used for covering one’s

shoulders

yarn: n. thread made of natural or synthetic fibers

collectively: adv. together as a group

unison: n. having one voice or sound

in succession: prep. phrase. one after another;

repeatedly

core: n. center; central part pulse: n. beat; heartbeat

turquoise: n. semi-precious stone of pale or dark green – blue, often used in Native American jewelry

gourd(s): n. vegetable related to the pumpkin that is dried, hollowed, and sometimes decorated inhabitant(s): n. person who lives in a specific area