Moorpark College seeks to be a destination for Native American students

The Children of Many Colors Powwow is a celebration of the arts, culture and life ways of today's indigenous people. It has been held at Moorpark College for thirteen of its sixteen years, and returns this month on July 15-17 on the practice football field.

This outdoor event welcomes the public to a family friendly gathering where Native American singing, dancing, drumming, flute music, arts, crafts, crafting supplies and foods can be experienced and enjoyed.

Hosted by the non profit association Redbird, the powwow is the longest continually running Native American gathering in Ventura County. 2016 marks the beginning of a new relationship with Moorpark College, who has expressed their commitment to becoming a destination college for Native American students. Defining the needs of that community, and making recommendations to the college based on feedback from native people is how Redbird will help facilitate making that commitment a reality.

For the first time ever, Moorpark College will have an outreach booth at the powwow, and Redbird will have a dedicated volunteer gathering the comments and concerns of indigenous people.

Powwows are cultural celebrations which blend tradition and ceremony with contemporary life. The Children of Many Colors Powwow is a relaxed and friendly gathering, offering opportunities throughout the weekend for people from all ethnic backgrounds to experience the circle, the power of the drums, the remembrance of tradition and the honoring of relations.

This year, visitors can also spend some time talking to college outreach staff about their educational goals...perhaps over a tasty slab of fry bread and a hand-crafted smoothie.

Visitors should also be on the lookout for silver and turquoise. A number of vendors from Arizona and New Mexico will be taking part in the powwow, providing unique and unparalleled shopping opportunities.

Friday evening the event will begin with an open flute circle. All wind instruments and their players are welcome, regardless of skill level or ethnic identity. Where you are a professional musician or just picked up your first flute, you are welcome to join in.

Saturday the powwow begins at 11 AM with the Gourd Dance ceremony, followed by Gran Entry, when all of the dancers enter the arena together. Singing and dancing will fill the rest of the day and well into the night. On Sunday the powwow will resume at 11 AM, with an honoring for Veterans as a part of the gourd dance ceremony. All Veterans are welcome.

Redbird asks a $2.00 suggested donation per vehicle to help offset the cost of the gathering. There is no admission fee. Spectators are welcome to bring their own canopies and chairs. There is covered visitor seating on the arena. The gathering is handicapped accessible.

There will be a strong presence made by a number of Veteran' Service groups as well, and all Veterans are encouraged to join us for the weekend, and particularly on Sunday, when there will be an honoring song for Veterans.

More information can be found here:

http://www.RedbirdsVision.org

To view the event on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/events/930560913698244/