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Story and Photos by ROGER EMILE STOUFF
What is a “powwow?”
It’s a not-so-old gathering of Native American nations based upon occasional meetings among members, sometimes in peace, sometimes to compete against each other in faux-war games.
But by the mid-1800s, when the system of reservations began, the powwow transformed into an occasion to meet with other Natives, to dance, sing and most of all, preserve cultures.
Never mind the movies, where cowboys insinuated that a powwow meant there was war at hand. In fact, the word itself is Narragansett, but dances mostly originated on the Great Plains in the late 19th century.
Indian Affairs, a United States office, dictated when Native Americans could hold dances for fear of a threat to Christianity. But they did it anyway, and the practice grew.
The Chitimacha Tribal PowWow was held Saturday at Cypress Bayou Casino.
Dancers, drummers and visitors from multiple indigenous nations were on hand for the fifth such event in as many years.
In this way, Native American culture not only survives, but thrives.
Because 71 dancers competed in Saturdays event, from all over the country. For a small venue like this, that could well be considered remarkable.
There were Qyapew, Chitimacha, Shoshone, Alabama-Coushatta, Pawnee, Cheyenne, Coushatta, Crow Tribe/Crow Creek Sioux, Navajo, Potawatomi, Sac n Fox, Cherokee (Oklahoma), Comanche, Dakotah Sioux, Otoe-Missouria, Wintu, Kiowa, Caddo and Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
“Hosting a powwow is both exciting and exhausting,” Chitimacha Cultural Department Director Kimberly S. Walden said. “The powwow committee begins planning next year’s powwow literally during this year’s event. It takes year around planning, preparation, decision making, relationship building and fundraising. Powwow is a time for the Chitimacha people to reconnect with friends from other tribes and to celebrate being Native American by showcasing our culture. It is humbling to have so many tribes choose to be with us, many from far away. It is rewarding when we receive compliments on our organization of the event and our hospitality. We also enjoy entertaining and educating the public.”
Walden said, “We sincerely appreciate all of our sponsor’s support. Powwows are not money making events. The committee also would like to thank our volunteers. We could not put on this event without them.”
Louisiana Public Broadcasting was on hand to present clips from the 2011 documentary “Native Waters: A Chitimacha Recollection” as well as document this year’s event. “Native Waters” will be broadcast again, in conjunction with the PBS series “Native America” on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.; Nov. 7 at 12:30 p.m. and Nov. 13 at 10:30 p.m.
There will also be a story of the Tunica Tribe, “A Promise from the Sun” on Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 7 at noon and Nov. 13 at 10 p.m.
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The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.

Tuesday, Oct. 23

7 a.m. 400 block of Brashear Avenue; Hit and run.

7:28 a.m. 6300 block of La. 182 East; Medical emergency.

7:33 a.m. 300 block of Grizzaffi Street; Suspicious person.

8:40 a.m. 500 block of Roderick Street; Medical emergency.

9:37 a.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Loud music.

10:26 a.m. 100 block of Wren Street; Medical emergency.

10:28 a.m. La. 182 East; Traffic incident.

10:53 a.m. 4000 block of Railroad Avenue; Vehicle accident.

11:04 a.m. 6000 block of La. 182 East; Vehicle accident.

1:14 p.m. 200 block of Onstead Street; Complaint.

1:43 p.m. 600 block of Terrebonne Street; Fight.

2:11 p.m. 1000 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.

3:10 p.m. 800 block of Marshall Street; Medical emergency.

4:25 p.m. 1100 block of Marguerite Street; Animal complaint.

4:41 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Theft.

6:08 p.m. 300 block of Laurel Street; Animal.

6:17 p.m. 1800 block of Dale Street; Alarm.

7:20 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Lost and found.

7:49 p.m. Florence and Ninth streets; Accident.

8:10 p.m. 800 block of Second Street; Complaint.

9:11 p.m. U.S. 90 West; Traffic incident.

9:25 p.m. 400 block of Levee Road; Frequent patrols.

9:55 p.m. 1700 block of West Garner Street; Animal.

10:01 p.m. 900 block of Palm Street; Alarm.

11:30 p.m. 900 block of Marguerite Street; Alarm.

La. 182 west from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to Cottonwood Street in Morgan City was closed about five hours Tuesday for while crews cleaned a diesel spill that occurred Tuesday, according to Morgan City police.

Police got a call at 10:28 a.m. Tuesday reporting the spill. The substance is believed to have been diesel, Capt. Teddy Liner said. Though there wasn’t a large amount of diesel on the highway, the spill stretched from Myrtle to Cottonwood streets, Liner said.

Police don’t know what who or what may have spilled the diesel onto La. 182.

The Morgan City Fire Department assisted with closing the west lanes of the highway while workers with the state Department of Transportation and Development cleaned the spill. The section of La. 182 was reopened to traffic at 3:40 p.m. Tuesday.

A 29-year-old woman was booked on Morgan City police warrants stemming from an April incident where methamphetamine, heroin and Xanax pills were found in a home, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Korianne M. Parker, 29, of Carol Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at11:56 p.m. Monday on warrants charging her with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of Xanax and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Parker was the driver of a vehicle involved in a traffic stop on La. 182. A warrant check revealed that Parker had active warrants for her arrest. The warrants stem from an April incident during which Parker was allegedly one of the occupants of home where suspected methamphetamine, heroin, Xanax pills and drug paraphernalia were located, Blair said. Parker was jailed.

Blair reported that officers responded to 47 calls and reported the following arrest:

—Troy Rosson, 38, of Glenwood Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:38 p.m. Monday on a Mississippi Office of Probation and Parole warrant and on charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Rosson was located on Glenwood Street and arrested on a warrant for Mississippi Office of Probation and Parole. Officers also located suspected methamphetamine that was packaged for sale along with drug paraphernalia in Rosson’s possession, Blair said. Rosson was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Scott Anslum reported that deputies responded to 33 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:

—Glenn Crawford Jr., 59, of Degravelle Road in Amelia, was arrested at 11:18 a.m. Monday on a warrant charging him with sexual battery.

A detective went to a residence on Degravelle Road and made contact with Crawford in reference to an active warrant for Crawford’s arrest. Crawford was jailed with no bail set.

—Michael Lovell, 51, of Stacy Street in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 8:42 p.m. Monday on charges of open container, operating a vehicle under suspension, general speed law, failure to signal turn and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of operating a vehicle while license is suspended.

While patrolling Bayou Vista, a deputy observed a vehicle traveling over the posted speed limit on Saturn Road. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Lovell.

During the stop, the deputy observed an open container and learned of an active warrant for Lovell’s arrest. Lovell was jailed with no bail set.

—Korianne Parker, 29, of Carol Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

A deputy patrolling the area of Patterson was dispatched to a local business in reference to a theft complaint. While in route to the business, the deputy observed the vehicle involved in the theft and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the Morgan City area. The deputy made contact with the driver and a passenger, identified as Parker. Through the stop, the deputy found drug paraphernalia belonging to Parker. Parker was arrested and released on a summons to appear on January 4, 2019.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

Patterson Police Chief Janis Merritt reported no arrests.