How to Enjoy a Native American Powwow

Redbird's 21st annual Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow

Oxnard College Gymnasium Field (outdoors, on grass)
4000 S. Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033

Free admission, everyone welcome
Native American singing, dancing, arts, crafts and food

Friday evening 6 PM Open flute circle and vendor preview
(All wind instruments and their players welcome, open mic, all experience levels welcome)
Saturday 11 AM - 7 PM Native American Powwow
Sunday 11 AM - 6 PM Native American Powwow
(Veteran's Honoring 11:30 AM approximate, all Veterans welcome)
More information: www.RedbirdsVisions.org
Email: redbirds_vision@hotmail.com

A powwow is a Native American cultural celebration. Community powwows are important social and cultural events, weaving together the lives of native people across an urban fabric. Redbird's powwow is an intertribal gathering which prides itself in creating a friendly and supportive atmosphere for both participants and visitors.

The powwow is composed of circular or mostly circular elements. The outer most circle is made of arts and crafts vendors and community non profit groups, cultural organizations and cultural presenters. Joining us again in 2023 is acupuncturist David Lee, who developed intertribal acupuncture as a way to share the healing knowledge of eastern and western traditional medicines in complimentary ways.

You'll also find Indian tacos and fry bread, and there's nothing quite like it. Wildhorse Cafe, the fundraising arm of the Wildhorse Native American Association, will be open Friday through Sunday, serving hot, fresh food. Wash it down with a hot or cold hand crafted beverage made by Jamie Graciano of Espresso Today.

Powwows are true cultural gatherings, not performances. Redbird's powwow offers a number of opportunities for multicultural immersion without compromising the integrity of the gathering. Our Friday evening open flute circle invites all wind instruments and their players to enjoy a relaxed coming together and an open microphone format. People of all ethnicities, skill levels and ages are welcome to share their music.

A powwow includes singing, dancing, drumming, traditional music, arts, crafts and food. Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday there will be intertribal dances. During these sets of songs, guests are welcome in the dance arena. There are some dress and conduct guidelines and you probably are familiar with them - revealing clothing is not appropriate for men or women, touching dancers' hair, feathers or regalia is not okay, and children should not be allowed to run through the arena.

On Sunday morning around 11:30 AM there will be a Veterans' honoring. All Veterans regardless of ethnicity or branch of service are welcome and encouraged to participate.

We offer the powwow as an event that we hope bridges ethnic and socio-economic boundaries in a healthy way, without compromising its integrity as an indigenous cultural gathering.

There is no charge for admission, and everyone is welcome. Oxnard College is very close to the ocean and so the weather is typically mild with the potential for fog/mist/moisture/high humidity.

Redbird will provide spectator seating on the arena with folding chairs and canopies. Guests planning to stay a while are welcome to bring their own shade canopies. There will be space between the vendors and the dance arena for visitor canopies.

Generous contributions from Southern California Edison, the Moon Family Trust and Oxnard College have made the 21st Redbird powwow possible.