BY DARIN, SUN STAFF WRITER 

2008-02-28

The public will get a diverse taste of Native American artistry this weekend when a popular annual pow wow showcases the talents of everyone from native dancers and singers to the actress who starred in Disney’s “Pocahontas.”

The San Pasqual Unified School’s 28th annual pow wow runs Friday through Sunday, offering a celebration of dance, music, native art and foods that has made the event a yearly favorite with locals and winter visitors alike.

“This is just a huge, huge event,” said Lucia Duwyenie, an event organizer. “I think it just keeps getting bigger every year.”
Although the event is hosted by the Quechan Indian Tribe, performers and artisans from dozens of tribes around the country are heading here for the pow wow, which has earned a reputation on the pow wow circuit for being a strong event.

“We have tribes coming from as far away as Canada,” Duwyenie said.

The pow wow will also boast a celebrity sighting. Golden Globe-nominated actress Irene Bedard, who provided the voice for the female lead in “Pocahontas,” will be on hand Saturday and Sunday. Bedard will have her own booth and will be available to meet the public from about 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days.

The pow wow runs from Friday through Sunday at the San Pasqual School football field. Each day’s activities will include performances, food booths and marketplace featuring arts and crafts. Numerous nonprofit groups will also have booths at the event.

Performances Friday will feature Quechan dances, while Saturday will feature dances from The Plains.

“Oh man, the pow wow is just very colorful, especially with all the elaborate outfits,” Duwyenie said. “Our main focus is to just bring all the tribes together. The pow wow is a place where tribes from all over can come together and celebrate together.”

She added that the pow wow also presents non-native people a great chance to learn that the U.S. is home to a multitude native tribes, all of which possess their own unique cultures.

“The pow wow gives people insight into the fact that there isn’t just one tribe. You can’t just categorize ‘Native American’ into just one thing.”

Brochures will be available with descriptions of each dance, explaining what each dance means and what judges are looking for in each performance.

Duwyenie added that not all portions of the pow wow will be available for photography and video. She said announcements will be made to help the public understand when taking images will be appropriate.
—-
Darin Fenger can be reached at
dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.
—-
DETAILS
-Location: Football field at San Pasqual School, 676 Baseline Road, Winterhaven, Calif. (Northeast of Paradise Casino)

-Friday Grand entry: 7 p.m.
-Saturday Grand entry: 1 p.m.
Grand entry: 7 p.m.
-Sunday Grand entry: Noon

For more information, call 1-760-572-0222

Copyright © 2008 Freedom Communications, Inc

Posted on February 28th, 2008 by hunwut
Filed under: Culture