Andy Humbles

ahumbles@tennessean.com

Three teepees set up on a hill that overlook Sgt. Jerry Mundy Memorial Park provided the backdrop and some shade to the 35th Annual Mt. Juliet Pow Wow that still drew strong crowds despite hot temperatures over the weekend.

"The biggest thing is people love to go in and sit down and experience what is was like," said Buffalo Yellowbird, who came from Alabama to set up the teepees.

Lead organizer Cindy Yahola roughly estimated 5,000 attended on Saturday, and 2,500 on Sunday with a few who had to be treated for heat related issues.

"I loved the teepees on the hill," said Cecilia Grimes, a Native American who traveled more than two hours Saturday from just outside Elizabethtown, Ky. "I love this pow wow and I go to a few."

Attendees observed demonstrations like moccasin-making and different types of cultural dance and music performances and contests.

"The mission is to educate the non-native population in our culture and heritage," Yahola said.

There was also nearly $500 collected Saturday at the pow wow to be forwarded to an existing fund in support of protesters against the controversial Dakota Access oil pipeline being built to carry crude oil from North Dakota through South Dakota, Iowa and into an existing pipeline in Illinois.

The pipeline has sparked tribal protests and lawsuits, as protesters believe the it jeopardizes critical water supplies from the Missouri River and will disturb Native American burial sites and sacred grounds.

Reach Andy Humbles at 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @AndyHumbles.