In this episode of The BAGO Mic Podcast, Liam, Easton, and Cas share what the Ho-Chunk Powwow means to them and why these celebrations remain so important in their community. They reflect on the pride that comes from honoring their culture, explaining how powwows aren’t just about dancing—they’re about connecting with ancestors, remembering history, and keeping traditions alive. The trio describes how regalia, drum songs, and dance styles all represent powerful stories handed down through generations, helping them stay rooted in who they are.
The conversation begins with heartfelt gratitude as the students appreciate their families and the people who guide them. From there, they dive into the heart of powwow traditions. They talk about how the drum feels like the heartbeat of the community, bringing everyone together in a shared rhythm. They also touch on fall harvest traditions, the meaning behind different dances, and how each element honors the stories of those who came before. With a relaxed and friendly vibe, the students share personal memories and light-hearted banter that make the conversation both meaningful and fun.
As they continue, they highlight how powwows celebrate resilience and cultural pride. They describe how regalia showcases clan identity and how each dance tells part of a bigger story. They also talk about the fun side of powwows, like bead games, bingo, and the joy of gathering with friends and family. Through their stories, they show how these celebrations strengthen community bonds and keep their heritage alive for future generations.
The episode closes with a reminder that every story shared on The BAGO Mic matters. Their reflections highlight the responsibility and honor of carrying culture forward, reminding listeners that their voices are part of the living story of the BAGO Nation.
Takeaways:
• Students share their pride in honoring Ho-Chunk traditions through powwows.
• Powwows are a meaningful way to connect with ancestors and celebrate culture.
• These gatherings help keep Ho-Chunk heritage alive for the next generation.
• Clan regalia and dance styles create a vibrant cultural showcase.
• Prizes can be won at powwows, but the focus is on community and mutual respect.
• The episode emphasizes how important it is for young people to continue these traditions.
Transcripts
Speaker A:
Sam.
Speaker B:
Hi, Nabi.
Speaker B:
Hi, everyone.
Speaker B:
Welcome to the Bago Mike, powered by Student Voice, where students lead the way.
Speaker B:
We are students from Winnebago Public Schools, broadcasting from the Winnebago Native American reservation in Winnebago, Nebraska.
Speaker B:
This podcast is created by us for the World.
Speaker B:
Today's episode is about Ho Chunk celebrations.
Speaker B:
Before we begin, we want to share something we're thankful for.
Speaker B:
My name is Lena.
Speaker B:
I'm thankful for my mom, my stepdad, my brother and my auntie.
Speaker B:
My name's Eason.
Speaker A:
I'm thankful for my family.
Speaker A:
My name is Cass.
Speaker A:
I'm thankful for my family.
Speaker B:
Now let's get into it once again.
Speaker B:
The topic we are talking about is whole tonic celebrations, like powwows and other stuff.
Speaker B:
What are powwows?
Speaker A:
So, like, powwows is something like where you dance in a circle and people are doing like this drum and they have like a drumstick and they bang it on their drum and like, it makes like a beat and they dance to the beat.
Speaker B:
It's like a heartbeat.
Speaker B:
All right.
Speaker B:
What is like, honoring our ancestors?
Speaker B:
Like, you can wear stuff like theirs.
Speaker A:
You can wear stuff of theirs.
Speaker A:
Like, remember they were our age.
Speaker B:
You can like, bring back like, you could probably like, do what they did.
Speaker B:
Like when, like they beaded or something.
Speaker B:
You could probably be or tried it.
Speaker B:
And what is fall harvest traditions like?
Speaker A:
It's like, like it's like a powwow, like in the fall.
Speaker A:
And like a powwow in fall is like, where you like, honor people and like dance and very interesting stuff.
Speaker B:
And what is like drum tradition and heartbeat songs?
Speaker B:
It's like.
Speaker B:
It's like when like drummers in the middle, there's like a little like shelter in the middle and then there's like.
Speaker B:
You can like.
Speaker B:
You could put your drum there and then you can just like, like hit it like a drum beat.
Speaker B:
Or you can.
Speaker B:
You hit.
Speaker B:
You can hit it like how your.
Speaker B:
How your song actually, like how your song is made and stuff.
Speaker B:
One is haltering dance styles.
Speaker B:
Right.
Speaker A:
Like hotel nan stars are like woodland fancying grass and like little tops and all that.
Speaker B:
Yeah.
Speaker B:
What's.
Speaker B:
What celebration do we choose?
Speaker B:
We choose powwows.
Speaker A:
No pow wows.
Speaker A:
What happens during the celebration?
Speaker B:
It happens during, like summer and stuff.
Speaker B:
Like, during, like, like the first days.
Speaker A:
Of school and stuff.
Speaker A:
Yeah.
Speaker A:
And whenever you do power girls can't drum.
Speaker B:
They can only sing.
Speaker B:
And you can like, compete and you.
Speaker A:
Can win money and you can't like, mess around by the drill and you.
Speaker B:
Can'T like, go off beat and stuff.
Speaker A:
Yeah.
Speaker B:
What Happens during the celebration.
Speaker A:
Like, everyone's like.
Speaker B:
Everybody is like, they like, they like show off their culture, like which clan they are, like by their regalias and stuff.
Speaker B:
And like, they dance and they let all that stuff out.
Speaker B:
Why is the celebration important to the Ho Cha people?
Speaker B:
Because they have to like, show off culture and they can like, it like, brings back like the moons.
Speaker B:
Like, it brings back like stuff like they didn't get to do or like sometimes it like brings back like, they probably.
Speaker B:
They like miss it sometimes because when they're like young and stuff, they probably didn't get to like, do their language because they went to like, boarding schools.
Speaker B:
And if they did say their language, they have to like, put like burning.
Speaker A:
Coal on their tongues and stuff.
Speaker A:
And why does the celebration help people remember our honor?
Speaker A:
Because, like, Pavlo happened 167 years ago when it first started in Winnebago.
Speaker A:
And like, it's crazy because all the stuff there is still standing.
Speaker A:
Yeah.
Speaker B:
How does this celebration bring people together?
Speaker A:
It brings people together because like, pavit.
Speaker A:
Because they want to dance for like their clan and like, for their parents and their grandfathers and all that.
Speaker B:
Yeah.
Speaker B:
Why did your.
Speaker B:
How come we picked a celebration?
Speaker A:
Because we wanted to talk about it.
Speaker B:
I'm like, wanted to tell people like what powwows and stuff are about our culture.
Speaker A:
Okay.
Speaker B:
So what like ho chunk games do.
Speaker A:
You like to play and stuff?
Speaker A:
I like to play like that beating like that bead game is like where you have like this cups as like there's like bead.
Speaker A:
And then like you move it around and you gotta try to pick which one's the bead.
Speaker A:
I like to play bingo.
Speaker A:
Yeah, it was fun.
Speaker B:
What like, position did you guys play in the.
Speaker B:
In the pow Wow?
Speaker A:
I played grass.
Speaker A:
I'm moving on to fancy though.
Speaker B:
I did grass and fancy.
Speaker B:
Thanks for listening to the bagel Mike.
Speaker B:
We hope our voices made you think, feel or smile today.
Speaker B:
Remember, your voice matters.
Speaker B:
Our story matters and you matter.
Speaker B:
Thank you.
Speaker B:
See you all again.
Speaker B:
Waini G Nam means thank you all.
Speaker A:
J Honey, Chuck, Joey means see you all in again in a warm way.
