The county is caught in the middle of two Indian groups seeking to stage the traditional Mother's Day powwow.
By CHASE SQUIRES
Published October 25, 2004
DADE CITY - A dustup between two American Indian coalitions could threaten the traditional Mother's Day powwow, an annual event that has drawn thousands to Pasco County's Withlacoochee River Park each May.
After one group gave up the date last year, another laid claim to the weekend for 2005, hoping to run their showcase for art, dance, crafts and fellowship on Mother's Day.
County Parks and Recreation director Rick Buckman says he and the county are caught in the middle of a brewing feud. If something can't be worked out by the two opposing groups at a summit Tuesday, the county is prepared to go without a spring powwow at the park, he said.
Having competing powwow events, Buckman said, could be worse than not any. There would be the potential for disturbances or disruption if people took sides, and allowing group after group to hold like events on alternate weekends would ultimately dilute what the public sees as a special weekend.
"It would be like having the state fair five times a year," he said. "Who would go?"
Both sides say they have strong feelings about the Mother's Day powwow, and both say they have the best arguments for hosting the event.
One group, the Florida Native American Indian Society, says they obtained the required insurance and charity status and reserved the park a year in advance when the date was left open.
On the other side are supporters of Trilby resident Mittie Wood, a member of the Muscogee Creek Tribe, who started the Mother's Day powwow more than 10 years ago, but had to give it up when her mother became ill. Now she wants to get involved in the festival again.
Florida Native American Indian Society member Jimmy Little Running Bear Boyton said his organization wants only what's fair. Money is a key issue, he said. The festivals barely make enough to cover expenses such as utilities, artist fees and portable toilet rentals. He said he is afraid Wood and her group will demand a full half of the proceeds, leaving less for expenses and less for participating tribes to share.
Wood said she is willing to share everything, including expenses, to make sure the festival succeeds.
"I've never put a penny in my pocket," she said. "We put everything back into that festival and the park. I have no problem with all the groups working together. All I'm interested in is bringing back the Mother's Day powwow."
"I'm not backing down from anyone," Boyton said Friday, as his group's fall powwow got under way at the park. "We're not going up there with one voice; we're going up with the voice of thousands."
The importance of the powwow, Boyton and others at the fall powwow said, is to enjoy fellowship and to share traditions and teachings with each other and with visitors, especially children.
Powwow events, he said, are critical to helping teach others about the ways of American Indians and to preserve ancient arts.
Lakota Sioux member Jane Wind Runner Durst said working together with other tribe members is a way of life. She travels across the country to take part in events, including a large gathering in South Dakota.
"It's who we are. This is how I live my life," she said. "It's not a weekend excursion."
