This year I'm going to do pow-wow right and I'll have my own "blanket." That's actually a simple name for what can be a much more sophisticated essential item.
For the past several years, it has been my honor to participate in the closing ceremony, the retreat of the flags, at the Native American pow-wow in Old Town. The first time I attended, they were calling for veterans to volunteer to carry the flags and were short by one person. I am a veteran, so I said I would do it. Their response to my participation was both astounding and humbling.
However, you can't participate without a blanket, which we Anglos think of as a big triangular shawl. The first year someone just loaned me a big square blanket, which they then folded and draped around me. Last year I was loaned a beautiful blanket embroidered in memory of someone's son who had served.
This year I am determined to participate fully and do my part to honor their ceremony by having my own blanket. But what to have? I am not Native American, so wearing a blanket or shawl in any tribal designs wouldn't be appropriate. I think my choices are olive drab green (for my Army service) and perhaps embroider on the back the years of service. I could also create something of red, white and blue, but I don't want to be too showy. Or I could just go with classic black.
I noticed last year that just about everyone has some kind of fringe on their blanket, and good fringe can be expensive. I nearly donated two brocade table covers to Goodwill--literally had it in the box which I was unloading--until I noticed the beautiful gold fringe all the way around the edge. Now that problem is solved and I can start working on my blanket.
Native American DaysAugust 3, 3:00 p.m. to August 4, 5:00 p.m., 2012
Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque, New Mexico
(just northeast of Rio Grande Blvd. and Central Avenue)
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