McGREGOR — The 11th annual Gii-Ishkonigewag Pow Wow brought sounds of jingle dresses, fry bread in oil, singing and drums to McGregor last weekend, July 24-26.
Powwows take place for different reasons. The Gii-Ishkonigewag Pow Wow is a celebration put on by the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. The Ojibwe word “ishkonige” means “to save something.”
“Gii-Ishkonigewag is remembering all the people before us who reserved or saved all of these things that we continue on today — our ways, our traditions and just being Anishinaabe,” said Michaa Aubid, who attends the event each year.
Food carts and vendor tents encircled the powwow arena. Attendees ate fry bread and perused handmade jewelry, regalia and wild rice available for purchase.
Within the arena, dancers, singers and drummers took turns showcasing their talents and competing for prizes.
Aubid said the event draws in some of the best talent from around the country, and that the public is welcome to attend.
“Try some of the great food, buy some of the great Indian crafts, and view some of the top dancers and singers on earth right here in our little community of East Lake,” he said.
One of the younger performers was 9-year-old Dorian Kretzman, who has been a grass dancer since he could walk.
When it’s time to dance, his mind is clear.
“I’m just thinking about nothing. Just dancing,” Kretzman said.
He attended the event with his grandmother Theresa Verkennes, a Mille Lacs Band member who has danced her whole life as well.
“It fills me with pride and joy to see my sons and grandsons and granddaughters all dance. I make all the outfits. I do all the beadwork,” Verkennes said. “Any time I can get the weekend off, I go to a powwow.”
Vincent Merrill, known by most at the Gii-Ishkonigewag Pow Wow by his Anishinaabe name Niibaagaabaw, is another regular at the event. He has served as adviser for the powwow since it started.
For Merrill, returning each year means reconnecting with the community.
“The bonds we’ve made years ago are still there. Those kinds of friendships last a long time,” Merrill said. “We just try to have a really good time and have our visitors come in and enjoy themselves.”
More powwows are to come this summer, including the Mille Lacs 60th Annual Pow Wow, August 14-16. The next Gii-Ishkonigewag Pow Wow will be July 23-25, 2027.
Stella Mayerhoff is a Report for America corps member, covering Minnesota’s headwaters region for KAXE in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Report for America places talented journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and regions.
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