CLICK TO HEAR CASEY FORD’S INTERVIEW WITH TYLER LAPLAUNT, SOO TRIBE
A weekend of singing, dancing, eating, and celebrating Native American culture was on the agenda this weekend as the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians held its traditional pow-wow at Grand Island near Munising.
Tribal Vice Chairman Tyler LaPlaunt tells RRN News that it is importamt for gatherings like this, since Native American people couldn’t openly celebrate their traditions for many years. He says that didn’t change until a law was passed in 1978.
This was the first time the gathering was held in Alger County since before the pandemic. This time, dozens of teenagers were on hand as a Youth Pow-wow was also held on Saturday. LaPlaunt says that while there was a lot of food, dancing, and games, it is actually a religious event, where tribal members pray to the spirits the way their ancestors did generations ago.
LaPlaunt adds that having it at Grand Island is also important because it is where one of the tribe’s original bands came from.
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