Northern Cherokee Powwow 2021

by

Chief Grey Elk

 Anyone who has been in the powwow business very long, knows this is a business and as such, you must make a profit, or you won’t be in the powwow business very long. 

The expenses are scary. First you must have porta potties before the people show up, but many of us come a week early to make all of this happen.

We all work so this is expense Number 1. Many camp out at the grounds and most stay in motels. Expense Number 2. No matter what we need whether it be electrical, plumbing or whatever, one of us writes a check. Expense number 3. We do eat good. Expense number 4. The potties show up. Expense number 5. 800 to 1000 people generate a lot of trash. Here come the dumpsters. Expense number 6.

​We had overflow parking donated. Wado Mark Wilson! Three golf carts show up to shuttle folks, especially the handicapped. Expense number 7 oops, I forgot advertising, powwow flyers, etc. Expense number 8, Ok, now let us mow the grounds one more time, mower gas and repairs, this year was scary. Just this spring four figures. Expense number 9. 

Hey look, the ice machine just showed up. Expense number 10. Did we pay the health inspector? Expense number 11, Ok let’s go over the food list. 50lbs of Hamburger donated, Thanks everyone! Now let us buy some beans, cheese, lettuce, onions, flour, hotdogs, hotdog buns, etc. Expense number 12. Yearly repairs to the Cookshack. Expense number 13, Everyone knows that the drum makes the powwow. We got lucky this year and landed one of the best. Plus, they are a well-trained gourd drum. Expense number 14 to remain a secret. Three motel rooms. Expense number 15. Gas allowance. Expense number 16,

​Ok we are about ready to powwow. What was that? Thunder! Wow! That cloud is really black. Everyone’s cell phone goes off at once! Tornado eminent in your location. Take cover immediately! Instead of dropping a funnel, which it did 4 miles down range, it dropped 6 ½ inches of water in less that 60 minutes. How is that possible? Any way that was the end of Friday night. Big expense Number 17, Destroyed canopies. Expense number 18 get up early Saturday morning and do damage repair. Do serious anti-rain dance. They are calling for 100% rain all day.

Will anybody come? Creator smiles, sun comes out. People start showing up. After China flu, powwows being canceled all over America, the people are pow wow hungry. We broke all records for Saturday. We had vendors that sold out! All I could get out of the rest was a smile and a “We did OK" and can we get a vendor form for next year. Now we are sneaking up on breaking even, we now know a profit is out, but we are thinking of staying all day Sunday. We polled everyone still here. They said let’s do it. Sunday morning, RAIN. We are done. Well not quite.

A trip to the farm and home store and 200 feet of chain and barge cable and we start pulling pickups hooked to 40 feet fifth wheels, campers, and motor homes. Now over 5 acres of pristine grass looks like a fresh plowed field. Expense number 19, to be continued into next year.

Yikes!

​Today, Friday, July 2, 2021, we show up to get ready for the Fourth of July parade in Clinton, Missouri, barbeque ribs and fireworks. Expense number 20, But this one does not get counted. This is our reward for everyone that worked so hard. All of the fun we had will come out in the official powwow report to be released soon.

A word to all, Fear not, We are Northern Cherokee. If we did not have an indomitable spirit, we would not still be here. Just wait till next year. We will have even more fun!

2021 Pow Wow and Cultural Gathering was sponsored by:

Full Page Memorial and Business Sponsors

 To view other sponsors visit "Pow Wow" tab and download the full 2021 Souvenir Booklet.

SUPPORT OUR NATION

Please consider a donation to the Northern Cherokee Nation.  Make a donation through our PayPal button on our website, northerncherokeenation.com or mail your welcomed check(s) to Northern Cherokee Nation, P. O. Box 413, Cuba, Missouri 65453.  We also accept Staples gift cards and Wal-Mart gift cards.  Feel free to call anytime at 660-885-7779.  Remember this is your tribe, we do not receive state or federal funding, we are a 501c3 not for profit. We depend on your help.

Also support our Northern Cherokee Nation with the latest information about you.  If you are newly married, had a name or address change, let us know.  Please update your email addresses, mailing address, marriages, name changes, and family deaths.  Send updates to northerncherokeenation@gmail.com or call the tribal office.  

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SCHEDULES, DATE CHANGES, CALENDAR:  Our webpage has a complete listing meeting dates and times.  Our Facebook page also shares the schedule of our events and activities.  When all else fails, call the tribal headquarters in Clinton at 660-885-7779, Monday thru Fridays.  Please remember Buffalo Sister is an UNPAID volunteer so she may not be there every day. Leave a message and return phone number and she will call you back.

BE PROUD TO SUPPORT YOUR NORTHERN CHEROKEE NATION!
The Northern Cherokee Nation always appreciates your support.
If you'd like to become a supporter, PayPal is available for your convenience to make
​your generous tax-deductible donations to the Northern Cherokee Nation.
Remember, the Northern Cherokee Nation is a 501c3.
This is a secure and easy way to donate and help your tribe.

ONLY AFTER ALL THE TREES ARE CUT,
AFTER ALL THE GAME IS KILLED, 
ONLY AFTER ALL THE STREAMS ARE POISONED, 
ONLY THEN WILL WHITE MEN REALIZE THEY CAN'T EAT MONEY.

REMEMBERING OUR PAST 
PRESERVING OUR CULTURE 
PLANNING OUR DESTINY

 Webmasters

Webmaster
Kelsey "Earth Healer" Gaines
​kelseygaines@outlook.com

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 Webmaster and Photographer
 Keith "Buffalo Healer" Dobbs 
​          ​ktdobbs@msn.com

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