Sharing the rhythm of nations: Native American tribes gather for annual pow-wow
NORA K. WALLACE, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
Native American dancers perform last year at the Intertribal Pow-Wow hosted by the Chumash tribe at Live Oak campground.NORA K. WALLACE / NEWS-PRESS
October 5, 2007 11:39 AM
Dancers, drummers and singers from numerous Native American tribes will converge at the Live Oak campground this weekend for the 12th Annual Intertribal Pow-Wow. The pow-wow, hosted by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Last year, the event included 150 dancers and about 3,000 spectators.
Pow-wows are not part of Chumash culture; they are more popular with tribes in the Midwest and Plains states. The Chumash held the first pow-wow in the early 1970s on their reservation, as a way to raise money to purchase new water systems.
"Although pow-wows are not traditionally part of the Chumash culture, we believe that celebrating the culture of other tribal nations provides an opportunity to honor traditional customs," said Vincent Armenta, Chumash tribal chairman. "Pow-wows also help preserve the rich culture of Native American heritage throughout the nation."
Scores of tribes from throughout the nation will be represented at the event this weekend. Dance competitions will be open for various age groups, from 7-year-olds to elders. There will also be food booths and commercial vendors selling jewelry, clothing and native arts and crafts.
The pow-wow will begin each day with the traditional noontime gourd dance, followed by the grand entry, which unites all dancers in a circle grouped by style of dance and age. Competitions include grass dances, jingle dress, fancy dress, northern and southern traditional dances and others. The events are repeated throughout the day on Saturday, with the gourd dance again at 6 p.m. and another grand entry at 7 p.m.
A number of Chumash tribal members will participate during the weekend. Dorothy Corbi and other committee members coordinate and Adelina Alva-Padilla, the tribe's spiritual leader, conducts a blessing of the pow-wow grounds several days before the pow-wow setup begins and also conducts the invocations as part of the opening ceremony.
On Sunday, a Chumash Healing Circle ceremony will be led by Ms. Alva-Padilla and Elaine Schneider.
"This ceremony was created by the Chumash and brought to the pow-wow circle to heal the spirits of anyone in attendance at our pow-wow," explained Willie Wyatt, tribal administrator. "It is a community healing ceremony open to all people and tribal affiliations."
Some tribal dancers include Nakia Lent, who will perform the Southern Buckskin Dance; her daughters will perform the Fancy Shawl-style dance. If they are in attendance, Frank and David Dominguez will dance at the event, Mr. Wyatt said. Some Chumash youth dancers may also participate.
The event is free, but a $3 parking fee is required. Fifty percent of the proceeds will benefit the tribe's education fund, while the remaining half will go to a Santa Maria nonprofit boxing club.