MORAVIANTOWN – Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit-Delaware Nation Pow Wow here was a homecoming for Star Whiteye-Silas.
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Whiteye-Silas, who was born and raised in Moraviantown, returned for the first time in more than 25 years to serve as the female head dancer for the 52nd powwow competition.
“I have not been back here in years,” said Whiteye-Silas, 44, who now lives with her family in Wisconsin.
Modest about her many victories at competitive powwows as a fancy shawl dancer, Whiteye-Silas credits her parents, Mary and Bud Whiteye, for instilling a love of dancing.
“They just took us around to all the powwows here in southern Ontario, Michigan, just dancing having a good time,” she said.
Her family was actively involved with the local powwow with her mother serving as head dance judge and her brother, Chris Whiteye, as head drum judge.
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Whiteye Silas was enjoying her return to her home community’s powwow.
“It’s amazing, I love it,” she said. “It’s a really good turnout, definitely bigger than I remember.”
Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit-Delaware Nation Justin Logan told those gathered during the Grand Entry ceremony: “For five decades, this powwow has been a vibrant gathering to showcase the richness of our Indigenous heritage through dance, music, story-telling and culture.”
More than 177 dancers took part in the powwow, the chief said. “It’s always powerful to see a number of generations come together to honor tradition, develop a sense of community.
“This is a time to honor our ancestors, embrace the present and inspire future generations,” he added.
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