"When we're out here we're dancing these drums, you know, they represent not only the heartbeat of the people, but they

“When we’re out here we’re dancing these drums, you know, they represent not only the heartbeat of the people, but they represent the heartbeat of Mother Earth.

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Central Wisconsin hosts fourth annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day powwow and art market

By Brianna Weaver
Published: Oct. 12, 2024 at 11:19 PM CDT

WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - The Central Wisconsin Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee opened its doors for the fourth annual powwow and Native American art market this weekend.

While 11 tribes from Wisconsin came out, many more from across the country took the trip to celebrate.

The ‘Central Wisconsin Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee' formed in 2019 with one mission -- to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The day is the second Monday of October. The weekend before is spent connecting with one another, dancing and sharing culture.

“Powwow is about coming together with your relatives, coming together with your family, seeing all of the powwow family and all of the people that we’ve seen all summer,” arena director Paul Roberts Jr. said.

While the Wausau area powwow is still quite young, it’s garnered the attention of many over the years.

“There’s 11 federally recognized tribes just in Wisconsin alone (who are attending.) We got tribes coming from out of state (including) people from Minnesota. I know there’s people coming from Iowa, some of some of my own relatives from the Meskwaki nation,” Roberts said.

The powwow is full of rich history honoring indigenous cultures, nature and unity.

“When we’re out here and we’re dancing these drums, you know, they represent not only the heartbeat of the people, but they represent the heartbeat of Mother Earth. We’re here and we’re putting our feet down, and we’re all dancing in unison, together, moving together, feeling together,” Roberts said.