Two days to meet with people of the First Nations of America

After the success of the POW WOW « Danse avec la Loue » in June 2008, which had attracted more than 15'000 spectators from all over Europe, the city of Ornans in Franche-Comté and the Association Four Winds decided to organize this event again in 2010.

For this exceptional intertribal meeting about 50 Native Americans from different areas of North America (Plains, Lakes, South-West) and Central America will cross the Atlantic Ocean, especially to come and celebrate their POW WOW in Franch-Comté and share with us their way of life through songs, ceremonies, dances, stories and legends, conferences…

This is a rare and privileged occasion for you to experience and share with your family a magical cutural event filled with humanity.

So the magnificient Vallée de la Loue will welcome again our Native American friends in 2010, and hopefully thousands of tourists from all over France and other countries as well.

For all those of you who would have a personal page on the social website FACEBOOK, don’t hesitate go to page évènement « POW WOW Danse avec la Loue » and confirm your participation. We will feed this page by and by with practical information.

During this past year we have received hundreds of letters and mails from people telling us their satisfaction about their experience with our Native Amercian friends. Of all these messages of sympathy we like to share with you Elyane’s words…

« I want to express to you as well as to the members of you Association, how much this POW WOW has been magical to me ! Magical in the sense that it has been supported by the intense energy of the hearts of all those who took part in it.

During the traditional dances and the powerful songs I have seen people cry – including myself !...

I have been deeply touched by the dignity, the kindness, the pride, the friendly spontaneity of the Native Americans who had the courage to meet with us… » To see the program of the Pow-Wow "Danse avec la Loue" 2010:

The Pow-Wow 2010

In French, "Wolves" (loups) is pronouced the same way as the river Loue where the Pow-wow will be held !

Our next Pow-wow will be held in France, in the Valley of the Loue, in the town of Ornans, home of the famous painter Courbet.

The river Loue, resurging powerfully from the Jura Mountains, rushes first through  the impressive Nouailles Gorges, flows then through the villages of Mouthier Haute-Pierre, Lods, Vuillafans and Montgesoye, to reach finally Ornans. This town is rightfully called the «Little Venice of the Franche-Comté», with its overhanging houses, its narrow gardens, its bridges over the Loue reflecting the blue and ochre colors.

This unusual and peaceful scenery will be home to a big gathering of Native American Nations on June 25, 26, 27 June 2010.

The Pow-wow is a special event that, through the years, has become an important milestone in the cultural life of Lausanne. The first pow-wow just wanted to offer a folkloric but authentic show, like the ones organised in the United States by Native communities. Through the years, 4Winds developed the concept by adding lectures, panels and exhibitions, to deepen our understanding of Native life and culture, yesterday and today.

After many years in Lausanne, this time we have chosen a place that will geographically remind our Lakota guests and friends of their sacred Black Hills. Our aim is also to share with our French neighbours the discovery of the vast Native American culture, culture that has become more familiar to the people of Lausanne through five pow-wows, films, exhibitions and lectures.