Stewart Indian School Father’s Day Powwow 2016: Dancing in the steps of ancestors

As soon as John Rupert, 15, could walk, he started learning the traditional dances of his Native American forefathers.

“We have all my regalia in all different sizes,” said John, the son of a Washoe father and Paiute mother. “I think it’s cool. Not many people can say they go to powwows on the weekends.”

While he learned his first steps from his father, Ben — who also fancy dances — John has since found his own groove.

“When you go around to different powwows you see different styles,” he said. “You kind of take what they do and come up with your own moves.”

Those moves will be on display at the annual Father’s Day Powwow at Stewart Indian School this weekend where he will be among 200 featured dancers.

The powwow will include arts and craft vendors, Indian tacos, along with other historic and cultural presentations.
Ben said he has always emphasized that John cultivate his heritage while at the same time taking advantage of all the modern world has to offer.

It’s advice John has taken to heart.

Early in the season of his first year, which just concluded, at Carson High School, he was called up from running back on the freshman football team to varsity. He also had a successful first run at wrestling.
The same year, he offered the invocation at Gov. Brian Sandoval’s inauguration. He killed a deer and an elk, giving the meat to family and friends.

He and his father use all parts of the animal in the traditional arts — stretching the hides to make drums, using the bone for arrows and spear points, sinews for lashing bows and arrows.

“It’s important to learn the traditional arts,” John said. “A lot of Native kids aren’t learning them and they’re kind of fading away.”
Before going out on a hunt, the two take part in a traditional fast. At the harvest, they pray in gratitude.

“Mother Earth is the one who provides the animals,” Ben said. “We teach John to also pray to Mother Earth. Mother Earth is a big part of our spiritual ways. We thank her along with the Creator.”
They also bless the eagle feathers used in their regalia.

“We are asking the spirit of the bird to travel with us, to become part of us when we’re dancing,” Ben explained. “For the eagle’s heartbeat to become our heartbeat.”

While much of John’s instruction comes from Ben, John also learns from his mother, Sherry, executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission, as well as Ben’s brothers Ted and Tobin and other tribal leaders.

“He gets to have different perspectives of the spiritual things they have learned,” Ben said.

John typically fares well at the powwows — including the Father’s Day Powwow at Stewart Indian School this weekend —which are set up as dance competitions. However, his finishing place is of little importance.

“What we’ve always instilled in John is it’s not about the competition,” Ben said. “You’re dancing because it’s in your heart. You love to dance. You’re dancing for the people who can’t dance.”

To learn more about the Father’s Day Powwow or the history of the Stewart Indian School, go to stewartindianschool.com.

The Stewart Father’s Day Powwow runs Friday through Sunday. Grand Entries: 7-10 p.m. Friday; 1-5 p.m. and 7-11 p.m. Saturday; noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Gourd dancing 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The event will be held at the Stewart Indian School, 5500 Snyder Ave. Admission is free.