Sacred Traditions
Tribes honor mothers for their sacrifices and wisdom at upcoming Mother’s Day Powwow
By Dianna Troyer
The Mother’s Day Powwow in Elko is a chance for tribal members to honor their mothers for the sacrifices they make to care for their children and others.
“We want them to know they are highly valued and appreciated,” says Daliah Abel, a member of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribal Business Council. “We’re privileged to honor them.”
The Elko Band Council organized the Mother’s Day Powwow, scheduled for May 9-10, at 2250 Indian View Heights Drive.
Grand entry starts at 6 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.
Special events include mother-daughter dances, sweetheart dances and a hand game tournament. In every tribe, mothers are considered sacred for many reasons.
“Mothers are our history holders, our knowledge keepers, our prayer warriors,” Daliah says. “They teach us what is sacred, our customs, what bloodlines we come from, how to carry ourselves, how to take care of the Earth and the way the Earth takes care of us by providing food and nurturing and grounding us with beauty.”
Mothers often serve in the role of both mother and father.
“I’m a single mom to my daughter, Jasmine, as well as the auntie, helping to raise my nephews, too,” Daliah says.
She teaches her daughter to appreciate the serenity of living on the Duck Valley Reservation.
“I went to Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque for two years and was grateful to come back home and feel grounded again,” she says.
Visitors Welcomed at Celebrations
The valley’s peacefulness and tribal members’ hospitality impresses out-of-state drum groups and head staff who come for powwows, says Daliah, who is also a committee member for the Fourth of July Powwow.
“I follow the drum groups and invite them,” she says. “Sometimes it’s been hard to convince drum groups to come to Owyhee because we’re such a small town and remote. Some ask me ‘Where’s that—Hawaii?’ I laugh and say, ‘No, it’s Owyhee.’”
After they come for the first time, they are impressed.
“They say that our hospitality is top-notch, and they can feel that it comes from the heart of the people,” Daliah says. “They feel content and humble here and experience a grounding that everyone needs. We’re blessed they come to share their songs to heal us all.”
Previously, the Black Lodge drum group from Washington performed at the Fourth of July Powwow and appreciated the welcome they received, she says.
“It was such a blessing because they’re the old-time type of drum group with the kind of songs we grew up with,” Daliah says.
The Duck Valley Reservation has limited lodging: a local motel and three Airbnbs.
“After our Veterans Day Powwow, we do fundraising and reserve those rooms, so the drum groups and their families can stay here in Owyhee,” Daliah says.
For this year’s Fourth of July Powwow, scheduled July 4-6, the host drum is Cree Confederation from Alberta, Canada.
“They’re a world-champion drum group,” Daliah says. “We’re really excited they accepted our invitation and are coming.”
More details about the Fourth of July Powwow will be posted to the Duck Valley Powwow Facebook page.
Wit and Wisdom
Compiled by Doug Littlehat
Mothers on the Duck Valley Reservation share their advice, practical pointers and humorous hints
“Don’t do anything you don’t want me to know about, because it will beat you home. Sit like a lady.”
-TERRI ANN COTA
“Behave, stay in school and listen to your elders.”
-LEANN JONES
“Don’t go to someone’s house uninvited, don’t eat at their table uninvited and don’t use their bathroom without asking permission.”
-CHARLITA GUMRE
“When you stay overnight in someone’s home, get up and help out.”
-GINA SMITH
“You don’t need a partner to succeed. If you fail, keep going.”
-ANGELICA BARKET
“Tradition is important. It is the way you present and carry yourself as a woman. Learning and teaching traditions is generational.”
-RENEE THOMAS