| Native American song, dance, prayer and a plea for the return of ancestral remains marked the 36th Annual Dance for Mother Earth in Ann Arbor Saturday.
Amid drum circles and dance contests in Crisler Arena, Co-Master of Ceremonies Paul Johnson asked the University of Michigan to return the remains of indigenous people to Michigan tribal communities. Seats in the arena were tagged with signs and cordoned off to represent burial sites where “indigenous persons were removed from the earth.” One sign read: “Number of people: 9, County: Oakland, Site: Troy Township Gravel Pit, Acquired: 1927.”
The Pow Wow continues Sunday, with Grand Entry at noon and Grand Exit at 6 p.m.
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Head veteran, flag carriers, head dancers and princesses lead the Grand Entry carrying colors and flags to open the session.
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The Eagle Staff, or Native American Flag, which is carried by the Head Veteran.

Fancy Dancers, renowned for their high energy and brilliant regalia.

Sacred time meets the 21st century as Wayahsti Perkins of Waccamaw Sioux sends a text message.