The Gun Lake Tribe of the Pottawatomi is having its first annual pow wow in Hopkins this weekend. The powwow will have canoe races, horseshoe competitions, drumming, dancing, and cultural ceremonies unique to the tribe.
Bob Peters helped organize the public event. He says the pow wow shows how far the Gun Lake Tribe has come to establish itself as a cultural force in Southwest Michigan.
“The whole cultural aspect of hosting pow wows and getting our name out there and showcasing us as a community and a tribe, it means a lot to us,” says Peters.
The Gun Lake Tribe pow wow will take place Saturday and Sunday at the Jijak Camp in Hopkins. The tribe joins other local branches of the Pottawatomi—both the Notawasseppi Huron and Pokagon bands have established pow wows.