By Joe Morey
News Editor
The 48th Annual Honor the Earth Homecoming Powwow and Celebration was held over the weekend of July 17 at its usual time, but with some major changes. The event was held at Noon and live streamed for two hours while Honorings were held and a Grand Entry was performed, but minus the 10,000 spectators usually in attendance. Several parts of the Live Stream were recorded in advance.
Dr. Mike Sullivan emceed the event and the LCO Badger Singers were the host drum. They performed on the Soldier's Drum, which Sullivan explained was first built to remember the Tribe's veterans during World War I after a young girl from the Wolf family living in the Whitefish community had a dream. Sullivan also noted that in 1918, when the drum was built, the world was also facing the Spanish Flu epidemic.
"The Badger's thought this was a good time to bring out that drum because of the Covid-19 Pandemic we are facing today," Sullivan said.
LCO Vice Chairwoman Lorraine Gouge gave a welcome address noting that this is usually the time when our people come home, to the Homecoming.
"Many powwows have been cancelled so we are blessed to be able to have this event," Gouge said. "These are unknown times, stressful times, but, it's very important we continue these teachings."
If you'd like to view the entire live stream of the 2020 Honor the Earth, you may view it at https://www.lcotribe.com/honor-the-earth-2020-live-stream
The Veterans of the Honor Guard during the Grand Entry Ceremony.