44th Paumanauke Pow Wow in Copiague displays traditional dancing, crafts despite heat
Jonathan Baca leads the intertribal march during the 44th Paumanauke Pow Wow in Tanner Park in Copiague on Saturday. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
As a Men's Traditional Dancer, Jonathan Baca tells a story through his dance when he enters a powwow dance circle...
On Saturday, at the 44th annual Paumanauke Pow Wow at Tanner Park in Copiague, he told a story of his ancestors and those who have passed in his life, including his father three years ago.
"It's very, very powerful, very uplifting and very spiritual," said Baca, 40, the reigning dance champion from last year's powwow.
About two dozen dancers in regalia entered the dance circle during Grand Entry to begin the two-day event that raises scholarship funds and honors Native American culture and traditions. The Paumanauke Native American Festival Inc. along with the Babylon Citizens Council on the Arts and the Town of Babylon host the powwow.
A breeze off the bay provided only a slight reprieve to the sweltering sun. Dancers and spectators tried to stay cool as temperatures soared into the high 80s.
"We call it the pow wow sweat," Baca said.
The heat may have contributed to a smaller crowd during the initial portion of Saturday's event, organizers said.
Gerry Goodlin, president of the Paumanauke Pow Wow Committee, said it's a yearlong process to organize the powwow.
"Our true support comes from our vendors," he said. "Because without them we wouldn't be here, and we wouldn't be able to raise the funds that we do to give out small scholarships to Native Americans to continue their education."
Vendors traveled from across the country to showcase traditional Native American items.
Ryan Harjo, of Texas, sold his handmade flutes and was attending the Paumanauke Pow Wow for the first time. His instruments ranged from $25 beginner flutes to a premium $500 instrument.
He crafts the flutes out of cedar — one of four sacred plants in Indigenous tradition — and river cane, a material used by Native Americans for tools, flutes and other items for thousands of years, he noted.
Rudy Lazzaro, who lives in upstate New York, also attended the powwow for the time as a vendor selling his handcrafted jewelry, candles and other items. He said he travels to different powwows in his van. He said it's important to pass on the tradition to his children.
As music played in the background, he said, "I wanted that for my son, to hear this on weekends."
For many spectators, the powwow has become an annual event to attend.
Joe Cuminale, 72, of Bay Shore, said he hasn't missed a single powwow since its inception. He recalled a small beginning with a handful of dancers and a few spectators during the inaugural event.
"It has turned into an amazing event," he said.
Latanya Thomas, 70, of Copiague, said she looked forward to seeing the dances and appreciates the crafts of the vendors.
"A lot of stuff is made by hand," she said.
The powwow continues Sunday with gates opening at 10 a.m. and Grand Entry scheduled for noon. The event concludes with the Closing of the Circle at 5 p.m.
Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
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