Smoke Signals
Power Of The Drum Is Showcased At Agency Creek Round Dance
Second annual gathering is about healing, ceremony and tradition.
4 JUNE 1, 2004
By Peta Tinda
The second annual Agency Creek
Round Dance was a time for people
to join hands, dance, pray and be
healed by the power of the drum
and the sacred songs that filled the
Tribal gymnasium on those two
nights.
The dance was hosted by the
Grand Ronde Tribal Youth Social
Services Program. A traditional
meal of salmon was served for
guests on both nights.
Drums from as far away as Warm
Springs, Umatilla, Yakama and
Saskatchewan attended the dance.
There were singers from such well
known drum groups as Black Lodge
and Black Stone, as well as Grand
Ronde's own Eagle Beak Singers.
"It's a very sacred thing," said
Algin ScabbyRobe, of the Black
Lodge Singers. "It's a healing
dance; there are certain ceremonial
songs... it's way different than a
pow-wow or any other social thing.
It's to help you."
A Round Dance differs from a
pow-wow in several key ways.
To begin with, a fire is lit and kept
burning during the course of the
dance. The entire gym is smudged
with sage to cleanse it of any bad
spirits or feelings.
All of the songs at a Round Dance
are also prayers, each with a spe
cific meaning. Some songs are just
for Veterans. Others are to honor
Elders. The dance always starts in
the evening and goes until early in
the morning; because that's when
the spirits are out.
There are no infants allowed on
the floor during the dance, because
of its sacred nature. Participants
need not wear regalia or dress up
for the dance. There is no competi
tion, no categories and no prizes.
There is, however, a giveaway for
all of the visitors. Community mem
bers are asked to donate items to
the giveaway, to give thanks to the
singers for coming and singing for
the people. And absolutely no drugs
or alcohol are permitted.
"All of the songs are to be danced
to," said Tribal Language Special
ist Bobby Mercier, who volunteered
to help with the dance. "We asked
the singers to come and help us with
our prayers. We've been having a
really bad year. We had a really
hard winter and we've buried a lot
of our Elders. That's why we do this,
for all of the people who passed
on... we're just praying for them
and their families and that this
year won't be as hard. That's the
main reason."
"It's a good turnout for the sec
ond year," said Kenny ScabbyRobe,
as he sipped his coffee and looked
around the gym. "It took two or
three years for it to catch on back
home, so with these good songs, I
think it will grow."
About 150 people attended the
dance on both nights, which, follow
ing tradition went until early in the
morning.
"The purpose of a Round Dance,"
said Grand Ronde
Tribal member Bob
Tom, who emceed
the event, "is for the
people of the com
munity. We all
know the power of
the drum and the
songs work. Drums
are a big part of our
Indian life. Birth,
death, weddings,
the drum is always
there, start to fin
ish. It's very power
ful. It just works.
And the sign of it
working is that it gets bigger every
year. Look around you," Tom said.
"There are young people, Elders.
They are healthier by being here,
in this circle, so it's working."
Photos by Peta Tinda
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Someday Traven Joseph and his older sister
Shalene fell asleep during the Round Dance, which
f oHowing tradition went until early in the morning.
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Recording Artists Algin ScabbyRobe (center) of the well-known drum group Black Lodge Singers, leads during the
second night of the Round Dance.
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Ghost Dancers Community members join hands and dance in a circle around the singers, many of whom came from as far away as Washington and
Saskatchewan to sing at the Round Dance. An estimated 1 50 people attended the dance, which was held at the Tribal Gymnasium in Grand Ronde on May 21-22.