A cherished ceremony bringing Bermudians of Native American descent together with members of the East Coast tribes was celebrated at the East End over the weekend.

The Bermuda Powwow gathering is dear to many Bermudians, particularly those in St David’s descended from the Mashantucket Pequot, Narragansett and Wampanoag tribes.

The two-day ceremony, with dancing and drumming, was held at St David’s County Cricket Club.

Terlena Murphy, chair of the St David’s Islanders and Native Committee, welcomed the return of an event not celebrated since 2018.

The Covid-19 pandemic made it difficult for members of the Native American community to travel to the island.

“We are always supported by the Wampanoag drummers and dancers and singers,” Ms Murphy said. “There was some loss of life. It’s a time to honour them.”

Among the departed was Everett “Tall Oak“ Weeden, who visited Bermuda in 2002 to educate the island’s descendants of Native Americans about their roots, who died last year at 85.

The daughter of Vernon “Chief Silent Drum” Lopez of the Mashpee Wampanoag, who died this year at 100, also joined the powwow.

Warwick Gombeys performed at the celebration, which included a display of archery.

The reunion was also an opportunity for visiting members of the community to see Bermuda.

Members of various Native American tribes were enslaved and sent to the island in the 17th century, leaving a profound mark on their descendants and Bermuda’s culture, including Gombeys.

The powwow ceremony takes its name from the Narragansett people of what became the state of Rhode Island.

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