Olde Fashioned Sunday combines many fun activities that take you back to a bygone era all in one day. Please see the complete schedule below.

Native American Powwow

Owl Beaver Trading Post, along with the New England Native American Cultural Council of Salisbury, MA, will perform a Native American Powwow on Olde Fashioned Sunday at the Bartlet Mall in Newburyport. There will be native people from different parts of New England and from as far away as Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

NENACC is a group of native and non-native people who were customers at Owl Beaver Trading Post, located at 50 Elm Street in Salisbury, MA. The magnet that drew certain people into a group is that they all appreciate the customs and spirituality of Native American peoples.

Elders and honored dignitaries will lead the different dance groups into the Sacred Circle which will be blessed at 9:00 a.m. At 10:00 a.m. there will be a Grand Entry (a procession) of all Natives in their finest regalia (clothes). The drums will start the Grand Entry, which starts with the honor guard carrying the National Native American flag.

There are three dances during the beginning of the powwow: the Grand Entry of the different nations, which will show different dance styles; the Flag Song; and finally the Veterans’ Dance. At most powwows, it is announced that no pictures are to be taken during these three songs. The Flag Song is the Native American version of the National Anthem and, if able, everyone should stand and remove their hats, unless you have an eagle feather in your hat. After the Flag Song, there will be a Veterans’ Dance, and only veterans in regalia are to dance for the first complete pass around the circle, after which it will be announced that all veterans are also welcome to join the Native Veterans during the rest of the Veterans’ Dance. If there is anyone who is disabled and would like to come into the circle to honor the veterans, just let any Native American in regalia know, and that person will be escorted into the circle with honor.

About Photography
Usually photos and video recording are not allowed during the Grand Entry at most powwows; however, this is an educational day and we want people to take pictures and bring them home to show friends and relatives. Chief Richard Owl Beaver and NENACC are lifting this ban and allowing photos and video recording at this particular powwow, including the Grand Entry. Please, be respectful of the people you are taking pictures of in the Circle. The Circle is our Church. Take photos from a reasonable distance of at least 15 feet from the subject. If you want to photograph a person outside of the Circle, please ask the person for permission out of respect. Please, never touch a native’s regalia (clothing) – some of the articles that adorn some of the native’s regalia have been handed down through families from generation to generation and are very delicate and sacred. Most natives will gladly allow their photo to be taken unless they are at powwow in distress. When Anglo society loses a close friend, they go to church to pray. We also go to church – the powwow. If a native requests that you not take their picture, please do not be insulted. At another time, you may see the same person posing for people, even in group photos with families.

The sacred drums come a long distance. One group comes all the way from Nova Scotia, Canada, at their own expense, just to honor our city’s powwow. A blanket is placed on the ground or carried by four girls for donations to the drum to defray some of their expenses. Without drums, there would be no powwow.

If you are interested in something particular, ask any of the native people. We love to share our culture and spirituality. This is the main reason we have powwows open to the general public; otherwise, the powwow would be held on a reservation closed to the public.

And please, we are all only human beings and are susceptible to making a mistake once in a while. If you feel any negativity at all, please talk to Chief Owl Beaver. I’ll try to be in the open for the people as best as I can. If there is something happening that you don’t understand, feel free to ask any native in regalia to explain your question. After the powwow, you can reach Owl Beaver or his wife, Anita Mother Coyote, at Owl Beaver Trading Post, Salisbury, MA, or by phone at 978-465-5562.

All my relations,
Richard Owl Beaver/Micmac/Seminole

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Sunday July 25
7:30am-5pm
Bartlet Mall