When the Children of Many Colors Powwow returns to Moorpark College on the third weekend in July, a new princess will be chosen to represent the gathering. Despite the non-commercial, family style feel of the gathering, the making of a princess is taken seriously. It’s more than a crown and sash. It’s a leadership role.
Katianna Warren of the Navajo nation is the first young woman to hold the crown for the Children of Many Colors Powwow. After hosting the gathering for 12 years, the non profit group Redbird decided it was time to commit to having a princess, and they were certain of who they wanted their first princess to be. At the 2013 gathering, she was presented with a crown and two sashes - one to represent the powwow, and a traditional woven sash to represent her Navajo heritage; and introduced to the Indian community for the first time as a princess.
Kat has danced from Northern California to New Mexico in the last year, and she has become part of a group of young women who are role models within their community, and outside of it as well. Most of the time, outside of the dance arena, a powwow princess might go entirely un-noticed without her crown, but it is a part of their job description to represent all Native American people in a good way.
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On Saturday, July 19, there will be a contest to determine who the new Redbird Children of Many Colors Powwow Princess will be. The most visible part of that competition will be the dance, but there are other qualities that will be sought.
First and foremost, a princess is a role model, and while the "duty" of a princess is to promote her powwow throughout Indian Country, it's also a position that other girls and young women look up to, and that princess might find herself in situations where she is an ambassador for the Indian Community at large to non-native communities. A princess should be someone who is willing to represent on behalf of all native nations in a good way whenever they are called upon.
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Knowing one's original language is important, because loss of language is at the heart of loss of culture. Some languages have already been lost. Not everyone has access to people who can teach them their traditional language, and because of that, fluent conversation is going to be difficult for those who are learning their tribal tongue as a second language.
A good scholastic record is important, but Redbird not asking for grade transcripts. Getting the best education possible helps young people succeed in their own lives and it helps them to help others. It is part of being a good role model.
Finally, there is the dance. How a princess carries herself within the circle is important, because it shows that she is involved in her local community. She has an understanding of the culture of the powwow; she is aware of the various kinds of songs and which dances are appropriate for them.
There is a camaraderie among princesses, past and present, that enhances the experience immeasurably. When Katianna relinquishes her crown, it will be a happy moment. It will be an opportunity to make another friend, to honor another teenage girl who upholds her traditional ways and community values. Having done an admirable job in her first princess commitment, Katianna will be free to pursue the honor of the crown for other powwows…or perhaps to support her younger sister, Caitlyn, who, at 11, has been inspired by Kat, and waits her turn to seek a crown of her own.
What: Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow; singing, dancing, drumming, arts, crafts and food, storytelling, traditional dwellings, non profit groups
Where: Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark CA 93021 outdoors on the athletic field
When: July 18-20, 2014
Friday July 18 Open Flute Circle 6-10 PM all wind instruments welcome, everyone welcome
Saturday July 19 Native American Powwow 11 AM - 10 PM (may end earlier if t there are no lights for the arena)
Sunday 11 AM - 6 PM
Who: Everyone welcome. $2.00 suggested donation per vehicle. Family event. No drugs, alcohol, firearms. Shade is limited; chairs and shade canopies welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Veterans honoring Sunday morning 11 AM. Sepulveda Vet Center Mobile Unit will be present for the duration of the powwow.
More information available via email - redbirds_vision@hotmail.com
http://www.facebook.com/RedbirdsVision
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