Buffalo are coming to this year’s Native American powwow in Wilson County.
The WilCo Pow Wow, scheduled for Sept. 28-29 at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon, draws several thousand people each year.
The event was started by Don Yahola 41 years ago. After his death in 2002, Don Yahola asked his daughter Cindy Yahola to continue his legacy of helping Native Americans in Middle Tennessee. She now leads the WilCo Pow Wow, formerly the Mt. Juliet Pow Wow.
“It’s a good way to bring awareness to the public that Native Americans are still here and we’re still relevant even though many people don’t think there are many of us,” Cindy Yahola said. She’s now the president of Middle Tennessee Pow Wow.
The buffalo for this year’s event will be brought from Eddie Gaw’s Lazy G Ranch in Cookeville, organizers said.
Gaw plans to bring two white buffalo and a brown one to be part of the powwow festivities on Saturday, he said.
Buffalo are connected to Native American culture, not only as a provider for food and clothing and more, but as a symbol strength, Gaw said.