Redbird Powwow celebrates Native American culture

The National Endowment for the Arts has awarded Redbird, a Simi Valleybased nonprofit organization promoting Native American cultural awareness and preservation, a $5,000 grant for the 2007 production of the Children of Many Colors Powwow.

The grant will have a significant impact on the group's ability to host this year's gathering and to sustain its operations throughout the year.

The Redbird powwow is what is often called a "traditional" gathering, as opposed to a contest powwow where dancers and drums compete for cash prizes. Some people feel that the traditional gatherings are threatened by the larger casino powwows and that the traditional powwows offer a different kind of experience.

"There is more of a family atmosphere at the smaller, traditional powwows" said Corina Roberts, Redbird founder. "Contest powwows provide a valuable source of income for dancers, singers and vendors, as they are usually better attended. They also attract some of the finest Native American dancers and drums, who deserve to be acknowledged for the skill and effort they have devoted to learning and sharing their traditional songs and dance styles. But sometimes the competitive atmosphere takes something away from the spirit of the gathering itself."

Redbird's 2007 Children of Many Colors Native American Intertribal Powwow will be Fri. to Sun., July 20 to 22 at Moorpark College athletic field, 7075 Campus Road.

The schedule is as follows:

+Fri., July 20: 6 to 10 p.m., Open Native American flute circle.

+Sat., July 21: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Gourd dancing, grand entry, intertribal and exhibition dancing.

+Sun., July 22: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Gourd dancing, grand entry, intertribal and exhibition dancing.

The event also features Native American art, crafts, food and fine jewelry vendors, and displays by informational and nonprofit organizations.

Tepees, drums and dancers are welcome.

The host is Northern Drum Wild Horse Singers. The master of ceremonies is Michael A. Reifel, San Carlos Apache, and head gourd dancer is David Patterson, Sac and Fox Nation.

Entry is a $2 suggested dona

ion.

The Children of Many Colors Powwow was first held in 1994 at Peters Arabian Ranch in Moorpark and was moved to Moorpark College in 1996. After the death of its eldest board members, Redbird chose to stop hosting the event for several years until the gathering in 2004 at Castaic Lake in Los Angeles County. The powwow returned to Moorpark College in June 2006.

For information, call Redbird at (805) 217-0364, e-mail redbirds_vision@hotmail.com or visit www.RedbirdsVision.org.