Native American Powwow gets underway

An outer circle of vendors surround the dance arena, where the canopies of dancers and singers are stacked two to four deep. On Friday evening, visitors filled the arena, with blankets and chairs, and enjoyed an open microphone flute session that filled the evening air with soft melodies. The word “family” was repeatedly used to describe the atmosphere and the people who brought the circle of musicians together. The 2015 flute circle was dedicated to the memory of Peter Lovio, a man whose love of both music and people touched the lives of many of those present.

Tomorrow, an entirely different scenario will unfurl in the innermost space of the powwow; the arena will be blessed, and it will bristle with energy as drums and dancers fill the circle in a powerful, colorful cacophony of sound and motion, celebration and ceremony. The Children of Many Colors Powwow begins at 11 AM and goes on all day Saturday until 10 PM, continuing Sunday from 11 AM until 6 PM.

The Native American and environmental non profit association Redbird, who hosts the event, seek a $2.00 donation per vehicle. Visitors will find close to 30 vendors selling jewelry, all nature of hand crafted items, and craft supplies. Dancing Bear Indian Traders carries hundreds of colors, styles and sizes of beads; some vendors come from Arizona and New Mexico to take part n the powwow. The Wildhorse Cafe will sell fry bread, Indian tacos, stew and other powwow favorites; Jamie, AKA the Coffee Goddess, will be busy all weekend making every kind of grommet coffee delicacy and fresh fruit smoothies.

For more information visit http://www.redbirdsvision.org/manycolors.htm