A celebration of culture
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| H&N
photo by Andrew Mariman Aaron Gentry of Chiloquin has
been dancing most of his life and has participated in most
of the area Restoration Celebrations.
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Klamath Tribes prepare for annual restoration event
By TY BEAVER
H&N Staff Writer
August 18,
2009
CHILOQUIN — Aaron Gentry was
19 when the Klamath Tribes regained federal recognition in 1986 and
hosted their first Restoration Celebration.
Gentry, a member of the Klamath Tribes, said tribal members came from
across the Pacific Northwest for that first celebration, as did members
of other tribes wanting to join in the Tribes’ celebration. Gentry
remembered dancing in the powwow.
“Being restored had a big meaning,” he said. “It felt like a loss
before.”
Twenty-three years later, the celebrations continue, and while Gentry
has had struggles during that time, he’s still dancing and still looking
forward to this year’s powwow.
The Restoration Celebration starts Friday and continues through Sunday
in Chiloquin.
For Gentry, dancing is a part of who he is.
His grandfather, though not a dancer himself, used to
drive him and other tribal members to powwows around the Pacific
Northwest. Gentry said it was because his grandfather recognized the
importance of dance, both culturally and personally.
The regalia he wears during powwows and other events has special meaning
to Gentry. Some of the beadwork on his outfit he’s had since he was 12
years old. His grandfather gave him the roach he wears. Gentry learned
how to repair and refurbish it himself.
Even before the Tribes were restored, there were tribal gatherings and
events.
That’s where Gentry learned how to dance and came to love it, both for
the spiritual release it provided and the social contact it brought with
other dancers and tribal members. It’s where he met his fiancée, Lana
Peacock, who also dances.
“I’ve been doing it my whole life,” she said. “I love that this is my
culture.”
Gentry and family members attend about 12 powwows a year. He doesn’t
expect to tire of the annual celebration of the Tribes’ regaining of
federal recognition.
This year, Gentry is looking forward to the grass dance being performed
to memorialize tribal member Jackson Bussell. But, he added, it’s the
people he sees at this time each year that makes the event special.
“It’s always going to be a celebration,” he said, smiling.
Restoration celebration schedule
Friday: Kick-off barbecue and fun
run/walk and competition powwow. Sign up for the run/walk starts at 9:30
a.m. at Chiloquin High School.
The event starts at 10 a.m., followed by the barbecue. Grand entry for
the powwow is at 7 p.m. at the Chiloquin High School football field.
Saturday: Parade, Competition Powwow and Open Youth
Rodeo. Parade will be on Main Street in Chiloquin, with entries lining
up at 9 a.m. and judging at 9:30 a.m.
Powwow has grand entries at noon and 7 p.m. Rodeo will be at Chiloquin
Rodeo Grounds and starts at noon.
Sunday: Competition Powwow at high school football
field. Grand entry at noon.
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