"What's the Word?": Orme Dam Victory Days 2008

On Sunday, we loaded up the "Big One" and headed to the Fort McDowell Indian Reservation for the Pow Wow in celebration of the Orme Dam Victory.

Brief History: The 27th Annual Orme Dam Victory Days celebrates the social and economic gains made by Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation in the 27 years since Interior Secretary James Lee Watt announced the decision to not build Orme Dam. The dam would have destroyed the culture and reservation of Yavapai People and its land. When Congress approved the Central Arizona Project (CAP) in 1968, the plan called for the construction of Orme Dam at the confluence of the Salt and Verde Rivers. "I propose," said Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, "to make the small but fine little reservoir we are creating here into an Indian recreation development." What Udall didn’t say was that the dam would have flooded more than half the reservation, including most of the tribal farm. The Yavapai’s fought the project for 10 years. In 1981, after years of struggle, including a three-day march from Fort McDowell to the Arizona State Capitol, the government gave up its effort to build the dam.

I loved going to this! The dancers were all so beautiful all dressed up in there costumes and head gear and I loved watching them dance. So did the kids. At first I was a little nervous because the drums were so loud and so was the singing, but the kids really got into it. Asa was in a complete trance the entire time we were there, and didn't move a muscle, but kept his eyes locked on all the dancers. Lexi (our little rock star) was of course moving to the beat of the drum. They both did so great! On the way home, at home and again this morning, Asa was talking about the Indian's Dancing. He loved it!

FYI... I did not get any pictures of the dancers. I would have loved to though. They were amazing. However, it is a strict rule in the Indian Community that you not take any pictures unless you check with the POWWOW host first. And I didn't get permission.