Steve Coen became fascinated with the Sioux Nation after reading how 97 native Americans came to Salford back in 1887 as part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Find out more:
Steve is interested in tracing the descendants of those Sioux warriors who came to Manchester who he believes may still be living in South Dakota and Salford. He is also hoping set up an exchange scheme for Sioux and Salford youngsters.
 | | Gift: Sioux warrior with United shirt |
After making contact with the head men of the Oglala tribe, Steve was invited to attend a huge annual Powwow and Rodeo on the Pine Lodge reservation in South Dakota which is attended by dozens of tribes including Aztecs from Central America. He took with him gifts including tea bags, tobacco and 28 Manchester United shirts from the Old Trafford club. Steve e-mailed the following account and pictures from South Dakota: Steve's story
After flying into O'Hare airport in Chicago, I changed to a smaller plane bound for Rapid City South Dakota. It is small regional airport, when coming through arrivals you are greeted with a fantastic black and white image of survivors of the Battle of Little Big Horn taken in 1947 - seven old men seen in all their fine regalia.
 | | Carving a mountain: [www.crazyhorse.org] |
One of these men was called 'Little Warrior', I would be staying with his granddaughter for the duration of this trip. Had to call into the magnificent Crazy Horse memorial. This is a mountain that is being carved into the image of the famous Oglala warrior. Look it up on the website www.crazyhorse.org. It is amazing to see! ArrivedΜύafter three hours drive into the dry dusty area know as the Oglala Pine Ridge Reservation (2.7 million acres). Powwow Every powwow. has a 'Master of Ceremony.' The Master of Ceremony is usually a tribal head or an elder. The job of the Master of Ceremony is a demanding one, for this is this person who leads the entire powwow.
 | | At the powwow: in full regalia |
The Master of Ceremony begins the 'Grand Entry' where the dancers enter the ring and are seen in full regalia for the first time. This person also has all control of any activity within the powwow and leads many prayers. The arena is the area where dancers step lively and show their traditional dancing skills. The arena is in the form of a circle. The reason the dancers always dance within this circle is because the circle represents 'The Circle of Life.' Being invited to dance in the circle is the only time a spectator is allowed in the arena. Beware of the Bison Apart from the powwow, in the nearby 'Badlands' you will see signs saying: Beware of Bison (Buffalo), they are now being reintroduced with new breeding programs. You cannot just 'hunt' them for "fun". I met with the tribal head which for the first time ever is a woman, (an ex-shop steward) named Cecilia Fire Thunder. She was delighted with the gifts and interest from our city, and has promised to help and facilitate our exchange programme with the Oglala.
 | | Steve with Cecilia Fire Thunder |
I was told about a 'Sundance' ceremony, normally non-Lakota are not allowed to attend. Fortunately the Head Man (Chief) had a dream where all colours were present at a ceremony, so he allows other nationalities to attend his ceremony. I found the place where it was being held and gave appropriate gifts of tobacco and tea and even china mugs from the Lowry centre, painted with prints of his work. You are not ever allowed to take photographs of this ceremony. It was very powerful and moving to see: the endurance needed is great as is the sacrifice they make with pain, through pain they gain strength. I could go into more detail but its quite graphic and may be too graphic for some people to read about...
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