Powwow People

Powwows, where people express their identity through song and dance, are an important part of Native American community life. Filmmaker Sky Hopinka, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, wanted to capture this on film, but not in a voyeuristic way. So he organized a powwow himself and invited singers, dancers, spectators, and even caterers. He filmed the entire day, which culminated in a men’s dance competition.

Thanks to Hopinka’s cinéma vérité style, with the camera moving almost unnoticed among the visitors, the resulting documentary doesn’t feel like a staged performance. A constant presence is the deep voice of master of ceremonies Ruben Little Head, who remarks on all the activities, naming and thanking as many participants as possible.

The camera also picks out a few, such as Gina Bluebird, responsible for the logistical organization of the event; singer Freddie Cozad, embodying the past; and young, non-binary dancer Jamie John, who sees powwows as a path to a more inclusive future.