By ALICE POPOVICI/The Daily News
Tuesday, October 7, 2008

NEEDLES - Just before daybreak Thursday, a group of Fort Mojave Indian Tribe members will line up at Spirit Mountain for an annual run to commemorate a bit of history.

Before tribal members had telephones inside their homes, information was delivered by runners who passed the messages to one another almost like in a relay race, said Kelly Hills, a spokesman for the tribe.

“They ran through the desert - that’s how they delivered their information,” he said.

The Spirit Run, which concludes around 11:30 p.m. in the tribe’s California Village in Needles, marks the start of the 32nd Annual Fort Mojave Indian Days.

The theme for this year’s celebration - which will feature cultural and art presentations, children’s games, a pageant and a fashion show - is “Catch the Spirit.” The three-day event will be held in California Village and downtown Needles.

“As Mojave, we’re a close knit tribe,” Hills said, and the celebration offers members chance to get together and socialize. For non-members, it’s a chance to discover the history and culture of the tribe.

Among the featured activities will be a baby contest, judged on the authenticity of the traditional attire worn by the babies, a Royalty Pageant, pottery and art displays, traditional food, a fashion show and the Tribal Bird Dance Contest.

“We’re always trying to educate the community on who the Aha Macav people are and what traditions we have,” Hills said, adding that the name translates into “people by the river.”

“A lot of people don’t realize that the Fort Mojave Indian Reservation exists,” he said. “The tribe is looking at new ways of educating the community.”

Alongside the workshops, arts presentations and pottery displays, tribal members will also showcase a Phraselator recently purchased to help preserve the Mojave language.

There is no admission charge for the event, which draws to a close Saturday evening. For more information contact Hills at 760-629-4591.

Tri-State Online // Mohave Daily News

Posted on October 7th, 2008 by hunwut
Filed under: Culture, Events