Two Dragons lead the way for healing and connection

For 35 years, the Woodlands and High Plains Powwow has been a heartbeat for Native American heritage in Fargo-Moorhead. This year, the gathering is hosted by Minnesota State Moorhead at Nemzek Fieldhouse on March 28. While all are welcome to attend, this event holds a special significance for the Indigenous dancers.

“At a powwow I get to be with my friends and family. It’s an opportunity for us to all come together and celebrate with each other, since we’re all spread apart in our everyday lives,” Delores Gabbard says.

Delores is studying social work at Moorhead and was nominated to lead the festivities as one of two head dancers in this year’s powwow. Anna Sheppard is pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership at Moorhead and will serve as the other lead.

“Being a head dancer means you are someone who is held in high esteem and seen as a role model in the community,” Anna says. “It’s an honor.”

Finding and creating community

Delores wearing her regalia at a powwow.

For Delores and Anna, powwows were a regular occurrence growing up.

“Even when I was younger, we would travel to powwows and I felt this deep sense of belonging that I don’t get other places,” Delores says. “It’s where I can be myself and not worry about being treated differently or seen as different.”

Delores is a part of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in Canada and moved to Moorhead nine years ago with her husband and children. She is in her third year as a social work student. Her father’s story inspired her to study social work.

“My family has a history of helping others. My dad was a residential school survivor, and a drug and alcohol counselor,” Delores says. “I want to continue my dad’s legacy. I ran into people who met my dad in their recovery journey, and they told me how much he helped them. He models what it’s like to be in the field of social work.”

Residential schools were boarding schools designed to assimilate Native American children into western culture. These schools were mostly closed by the 70s, but the last one remained open until 1996. These institutions had devastating effects, as they tried to suppress Indigenous culture.

Many Native Americans find healing and remembrance in part through sharing stories and dancing within their communities—two staples of a powwow. Anna mainly performs old style jingle dancing, which is a dance to heal. “Dancing is something you not only do for yourself, but for others, and those who aren’t able to,” she says.

Anna is a part of the White Earth Chippewa tribe, and her jingle dance is frequently requested in the area. She volunteers at middle and high schools to perform, talk with native students, and teach them how to create their own regalia. Anna is also a member of Sweet Medicine, a non-profit that provides assistance and cultural activities for homeless Native Americans in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Delores performs at schools and community events through her family’s involvement in the Buffalo River Singers and Dancers. She also regularly travels to livestream powwows on powwows.com for those who can’t be there in person.

Resilience built along the way

Anna completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Moorhead. She came back for her doctorate because of her experience with her instructors.

“The faculty went above and beyond in my master’s program,” she says. “I also chose MSUM because the doctorate is 100% online and is one 8-week course at a time, meaning I can focus on one topic for that time.”

For Delores, her time in higher education has been challenging in the midst of working full-time and raising a family. Moorhead’s student support systems have helped her along the way.

“The academic success center helped a lot and taught me how to advocate for myself and connect with people who could help. My professors have also been very accommodating,” she says. “School is hard, but I’m resilient and persevering.”

Anna and Delores are eager to lead the upcoming powwow and enthusiastic about spreading the word about all it has to offer.

“A powwow is not just for Native Americans—anybody can attend and participate. It’s a way to get to know your neighbors in the community,” Delores says.

The 35th annual Woodlands and High Plains Powwow is taking place from noon to 10 p.m. on March 28. The festivities include a free meal for those attending, a potato dance—where pairs of dancers compete to be the last to hold a potato between their foreheads—vendors, a silent auction, and multiple intertribal dances, where attendees are encouraged to join.

“I want the community to experience this event,” Anna says. “It feels like homecoming for us. It’s the first powwow in the area since winter. My children and grandchildren will be dancing with me. It’s a great time to reconnect with friends and family.”

For more information about the powwow, visit the Woodlands and High Plains Powwow Facebook page.