Homecoming of the Three Fires

Grand Rapids, MI Riverside Park, Monroe Avenue. Sponsored by: Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians and the City of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation.

Thomas and I were spectators at the pow wows since 1970.  In 1996, we decided to be vendors at the pow wows.  Thomas' nephew, Salvador Begay helped up get a booth at the Homecoming of the Three Fires.  Salvador told us that he reserved a space for us.  When we showed up, we were told that another Begay got the space.  Somehow, they allocated a vending space for us right out of the circle and by the rest room area.  It was good for us because people pass us by to get in the pow wow circle.

Since then, we've been going to the Homecoming of the Three Fires Pow Wow.  In the year 2003, we sent our vendor's packet pretty early with $200.00 payment. 

A week before the pow wow, our money was returned.  The reason is that we don't represent Native Americans for the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians.  Why did it take 7 years to question us?  Why were there non-Indians and Guatemalan vendors at their pow wow while Thomas is a full-pledged, honest to goodness, Navajo Indian with a census #-91,920?  I found out it rained hard during the event and eventually flooded. 

Gloria's husband teases us time and again.  He said: "So, you are not Ottawa enough?"  I answered: "Yeah, we've been Ottawaed out."

08/31/2005 07:37:28 PM