Photos from the Northern Cherokee Nation's 2018 Powwow
David “Flying with Eagles” Bevett and son, Kai “Bright Star” Akiyama Bevett, are seen leaving the “sacred circle” after partaking in a ceremonial dance at the Northern Cherokee Nation’s tribal complex on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Clinton, Missouri. The two are members of the Northern Cherokee Nation, a non-federally recognized tribe, which is currently in the process of seeking federal recognition. The two have flown from Hawaii to Missouri every year for the past four years to attend the annual powwow.
A variety of arts and crafts vendors set up their booths a few hours before the Northern Cherokee Nation powwow at its tribal complex on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, in Clinton, Missouri. Artists clearly told their customers that they were not part of a federally recognized tribe when they sold their work. This was due to recent legislation that aims to prevent people who are not members of federally recognized American Indian tribes from selling their arts and crafts as “authentic” Native American art.
Northern Cherokee Nation tribe member, Kai “Bright Star” Akiyama Bevett, holds up two pieces of his dancing regalia on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Clinton, Missouri. He holds a golden eagle feather in one hand and an eagle’s claw in the other. According to Chief Grey Elk, the two pieces were legally obtained through an exchange with another Native American tribe in Wyoming.
A small teepee sat on the Northern Cherokee Nation’s tribal complex grounds during its powwow on Friday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Clinton, Missouri. The powwow is an annual three-day event, which consists of several ceremonies, dances and various social activities between tribal members. Despite the fact that the tribe has thousands of members, individuals in the tribe consider each other to be family, according to tribe member David “Flying with Eagles” Bevett.
David “Flying with Eagles” Bevett displays his ceremonial regalia of the “Gourd Dance,” one of several ceremonial dances seen at the Northern Cherokee Nation’s annual powwow on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Clinton, Missouri. The Gourd Dance allows warriors and veterans to showcase their services to the armed forces and honor the services of their relatives. Bevett personally served in the U.S. Army for 17 years and the U.S. Navy for five years, which is symbolized by the medals on his cloak. Chief Grey Elk of the Northern Cherokee Nation said he’s seen veterans break down while performing the dance in previous years and had to escort them off of the field where the dance is performed.