Reflections on nibezun’s Seed to Spirit powwow from board president, Dr. Benjamin Huerth

I wish you could have been there. For those who wanted to come but couldn’t make it, those who wondered if this was a place for them, or those for whom it hadn’t even been a thought to go, there was more than one moment when I found myself awestruck by what was happening on this land we made home just 10 years ago. Seeing people from all walks of life, of all ages—from our babies to our grandmothers, even great-great-grandfathers—from all across this place we know as Turtle Island, I saw healing in action. At one point, the adults danced with each other in one tent, while the little ones in their fitted regalia practiced their steps before they one day join the big dance. Young people sat at the drums, feeling the way the drum kicks back as their voices sang the songs taught to them in unison. I wish you could have been there to feel how hungry everyone was for something like this in the tumultuous world we live in every other day. We saw friends we hadn’t seen in years, and we met family there without knowing we would be in this place at the same time. We ate food donated from our local farms and hunted game donated by community hunters in the soup. All the while, the drums sounded like heartbeats from one song to the next. I wish you could have been there to witness healing happening, each person walking away carrying a blessing home with them. I wish you could have been there to be part of something none of us could have known would bring such joy to our lives, no matter where we started the day from. If this should come together again, I want to invite you now.

nibezun was founded with an idea of healing, even though we didn’t know the depth of what we were asking for, and at this pow wow we found ourselves in a shared healing moment. A moment like this was good medicine for all those who came, something to bring home to their own families and friends, like a treasured charm added to our bundles.

My dad once told me that gratitude doesn’t cost anything. Gratitude completes the circle from intention to action, then memory.

Photo by Keanu Lewey

I want to thank the pow wow committee and all its members. The vision they shared, the knowledge they generously gave, and the time they committed gave us all moments to feel like we belonged in this time filled with music and joy. This came together so beautifully that it felt like magic happened. Thank you.

To the nibezun staff: I hope you got back what you gave to this effort and more. You all worked so hard to be sure everyone was considered, made comfortable, and had everything available for others to come and enjoy. You were in service to all our guests, family, and friends. Thank you.

The heartbeat of this moment was held together by our drums. We had the fortune of having our own drums here with us to greet our guest drums. Our drums shared their songs, bringing out their teachings and spirit from this land of the Wabanakik people. The people of the dawn shone bright, represented us all in a generous and spectacular fashion, and made us all proud to be from this place of our Wabanakik people. Woliwoni. To our invited drums from far away, thank you for traveling so far to be with us in this significant moment, to share your teachings and songs, both old and new, and to acknowledge our relations from so long ago. The songs that live through this drum brought our histories together and even felt like listening to family. Thank you for stepping up and giving generously.

Photo by Keanu Lewey

To our pow wow leadership, the MCs, the glue that held it all together with their knowledge, process, and humor: the way you played off each other endeared you to us, gave much-needed laughter, and kept our attention on the importance of every moment. Thank you for honoring our relatives who have moved on. It brought shared tears and a chance for us to move forward in our lives. Woliwoni.

Photo by Keanu Lewey

To our head dancers, each representing us all with grace and pride, people we chose to follow behind into this ceremony: thank you for taking that position of honor with humbleness. You carried our ancestors with you, surrounded by so many more who watched as you trailed new ground for this ceremony. Woliwoni.

To our prayer makers, who reminded us that this is deeper than music and dancing: this moment was but one in a long line of ceremony before us and for those coming. You recognized all who took time out of their lives to be part of this collective prayer and began with your words and offerings. Thank you for taking that mantle on for us and carrying our intentions with you.

To our fire keeper, who stood with our fire and tended to its flames, making medicine available for the prayers and offering a place to warm up: you gave everyone a chance to sit with that fire to remember someone we wished was still here, to give prayers to our little ones, to make an offering of gratitude, or to offer a personal prayer. You held that sacred space for all of us. Woliwoni.

To our craftspeople: you showed us your best work for all to see. We appreciate the time you spent on your craft and the opportunity for us all to have something to bring back home or gift to another. Your craftsmanship was on full display, and we saw the beauty you bring to our people and to the world.

To our health station: we felt more at ease because of you. Knowing someone was there if something came up helped us feel more comfortable and relaxed. Knowing you were not only our emergency button but also cared for each and every one of us comforted us; we knew help was there if needed.

To our food makers: you filled our bodies with nourishment and memories. Everyone walked away with something they ate that they will remember forever. You all worked so hard to keep it moving and accomplished this with smiles and shared joy for all of us to enjoy what you made. Woliwoni.

To all the volunteers who showed up ready to help: you were the pieces we needed to complete the ceremony. You were the ones who just wanted to help with something beautiful. You wanted to give your time, energy, and intentions with generosity. I hope you received back what you gave and more. Woliwoni.

To all the lodgers who donated or discounted their rooms for our visitors to stay, maybe not knowing even what this event really was: we had a place to offer our travelers so they could sleep and recharge for their journeys home. Thank you.

To our groundskeepers: you offered the first prayers of this setting by giving fresh ground for something special to happen. You worked tirelessly to make sure we had a fresh start to this moment. Thank you.

To our nibezun housekeepers: thank you for your attention to the houses and for making them so beautifully welcoming to everyone who came to make them home, even for a night.

To all our donors: your donations made this happen too. Thank you for believing that your donation would be spent toward something big. I want you to know that you donated to something beautiful, something you can also be part of.

And finally, to all the relatives who came to spectate, participate, and support all those who worked so hard: we hope you walked away with memories that lingered and echoed on your journey home, and maybe even woke up with a song you heard or remembered a friend you met. All these efforts were done for you. We hope you were able to fill your cup, if only for one day. We were able to fill ours by witnessing the joy, the friendship, and the love of life in this shared moment.

Gratefulness is free to give, and we give all of you this as our gift. Woliwoni, piniggigi, and thank you in all the languages of our people. We are grateful for the moment you shared with us.