Powwow Honors Women Survivors

Rainbow of Ribbons honors women survivors of cancer and domestic violence by hosting powwows.

“We are living heroes, not victims,” said "C" WarriorWoman Smith, founder of the nonprofit organization. “I want women who have been to hell and back to have a special day.”  

Smith came up with the idea for Rainbow of Ribbons in 2008, when she stumbled across a powwow in Arizona that was honoring survivors of breast cancer. Smith thought, “Why aren’t we doing something like that here in Washington?”

“If we want things to change, as native people (American Indians) we need to get off our duffs and do something about it,” said Smith.  

And that is exactly what Smith did. She thought of a powwow that would honor survivors of any and all cancers, thus leaving no one out.

In 2009, after being laid off from her construction job, Smith jumped in her truck and drove to different American Indian reservations like the Yakima, Muckleshoot and Suquamish to let people know about the powwow.

“I went all over the place as much as I could since I was living off of unemployment,” Smith said.

Before construction, Smith had followed in her father’s footsteps and served in the Air Force for three years. She was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base outside Spokane, and decided to make Washington her home after her discharge in 1986.

Fast-forward more than two decades to March 2009, when Smith drove to Olympia and registered Rainbow of Ribbons as an official nonprofit organization. In May 2010, Rainbow of Ribbons held its first powwow, at the Green River College Gymnasium in Auburn, to honor all women survivors of cancer.

“We are breaking ground by what we are doing, which is honoring women,” Smith said. “We aren’t bashing men or families, but we want women to have their day.”

The second Rainbow of Ribbons Pow Wow was held May 13-14 at the same location. This year, the honorees were women survivors of breast cancer and domestic violence.

Smith said the organization chose to focus on breast cancer and domestic violence because these are two issues that are not usually talked about in the American Indian communities.

Charla White Eagle, this year's Head Woman Dancer, is a domestic violence survivor.

“I was quiet and embarrassed about it,” said the 35-year-old White Eagle, a Kirkland native who is from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. “I didn’t want anybody to know but finally I saw a sign that said ‘Are you in a domestic violence relationship? If so call this number.’ I called the number and got help.”

White Eagle hopes the powwow showed others who might be in a relationship with domestic violence or are fighting breast cancer that there are others who can relate and help.

The powwow had free mammogram testing for those who qualified. Smith was awarded a $1,000 grant from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help pay for part of the costs and to have Assured Imaging Women's Wellness provide a mobile mammography truck on site.

Libby Sogge, 60, drove from Olympia to attend. She came for one simple reason: her daughter suggested it. Sogge didn’t know about the mammogram testing but agreed to have it done.

“It was completely surprised by it, but man, it was a blessing because I would find any reason to not go get a mammogram test, it is scary,” she said.

Sogge liked the mammogram testing because it was convenient.

“I think it is good because you don’t have to see if you fit the demographic and try to get insurance,” Sogge said. “It is a good service.”

Next year's powwow, which will honor women veterans, will also be the last. Smith said the organization wants to focus on goals.

The group's long-term goal is to help veteran women go to college by offering book vouchers. In the short term, it wants to promote itself by attending other groups' events like powwows, concerts and lectures.

“I’d like to see it grow and stand on its own,” said Smith. “I am just the seed and I want others to eventually take over the organization.”

For more information on the Rainbow of Ribbons Organization contact ''C'' WarriorWoman Smith by email at RainbowofRibbons@gmail.com or call 206-818-0929.