Post by Okwes on Oct 12, 2006 14:21:20 GMT -5
Thousands of people from all over the country and Canada attended Sunday's 11th annual Chumash Pow Wow at the Live Oak Campground near Lake Cachuma, an event designed to honor and celebrate the Native American culture.
�We want to bring our culture back and be together,� said Dorothy Corbi, event chair and member of the Santa Ynez-band of Chumash Indians. She estimated that more than 200 tribes were represented at the event.
The two-day festivities ended Sunday afternoon with a healing prayer, where everyone was invited into the center dance-circle to receive a blessing that is intended to bring good health, Corbi said.
A wide variety of dances, which ranged from one that honored war veterans to another that was a dance of friendship, were performed while several drummers sat around a large drum and pounded out rhythms.
In a brightly colored headdress with neon orange and white feathers tied around his head and waist, Dwight White Buffalo, a member of the Sissiton tribe in Minnesota, said he travels the country to attend different pow wows, because of their importance to his culture.
�I've been doing this ever since I was a kid, and I've learned a lot. I'm always learning,� White Buffalo said.
He added that he thinks it's particularly important to spend time with tribal elders to learn the stories of their childhoods, which can be passed on to the younger generations.
Enjoying the dancing and music, friends Wanda Soto and Emily One Star, both of Lompoc, said they attend the pow wow every year, and try to enlighten their children to their tribe's history.
�I love the drums, it makes me want to dance,� said Soto, a member of the Chumash.
One Star said the Central Coast needs more events like the Chumash Pow Wow, because once a year is not enough. Children do not have enough culture in their daily lives, she said, and it's difficult to keep them interested.
�Our history needs to be brought out into the open,� she said. �We need more events like this.�
In addition to the performances, artists and vendors sold Native American-themed jewelry, paintings and food to the large crowd.
Paul and Pat Merritt of Tehachapi travel to New Mexico several times a year to purchase sterling silver jewelry, with an emphasis on turquoise stones. The couple then sells the jewelry at pow-wows across the state.
�We enjoy people at these events and appreciate bringing them good jewelry,� Pat Merritt said. �Today's a very good crowd - a big buying crowd.�
At the close of Sunday's event, Corbi said she will already have to start planning next year's pow wow. Even though it's a lot of work, she said it's �rewarding and so worth it.�
<http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2006/10/09/news/featurednews/news01.txt>
�We want to bring our culture back and be together,� said Dorothy Corbi, event chair and member of the Santa Ynez-band of Chumash Indians. She estimated that more than 200 tribes were represented at the event.
The two-day festivities ended Sunday afternoon with a healing prayer, where everyone was invited into the center dance-circle to receive a blessing that is intended to bring good health, Corbi said.
A wide variety of dances, which ranged from one that honored war veterans to another that was a dance of friendship, were performed while several drummers sat around a large drum and pounded out rhythms.
In a brightly colored headdress with neon orange and white feathers tied around his head and waist, Dwight White Buffalo, a member of the Sissiton tribe in Minnesota, said he travels the country to attend different pow wows, because of their importance to his culture.
�I've been doing this ever since I was a kid, and I've learned a lot. I'm always learning,� White Buffalo said.
He added that he thinks it's particularly important to spend time with tribal elders to learn the stories of their childhoods, which can be passed on to the younger generations.
Enjoying the dancing and music, friends Wanda Soto and Emily One Star, both of Lompoc, said they attend the pow wow every year, and try to enlighten their children to their tribe's history.
�I love the drums, it makes me want to dance,� said Soto, a member of the Chumash.
One Star said the Central Coast needs more events like the Chumash Pow Wow, because once a year is not enough. Children do not have enough culture in their daily lives, she said, and it's difficult to keep them interested.
�Our history needs to be brought out into the open,� she said. �We need more events like this.�
In addition to the performances, artists and vendors sold Native American-themed jewelry, paintings and food to the large crowd.
Paul and Pat Merritt of Tehachapi travel to New Mexico several times a year to purchase sterling silver jewelry, with an emphasis on turquoise stones. The couple then sells the jewelry at pow-wows across the state.
�We enjoy people at these events and appreciate bringing them good jewelry,� Pat Merritt said. �Today's a very good crowd - a big buying crowd.�
At the close of Sunday's event, Corbi said she will already have to start planning next year's pow wow. Even though it's a lot of work, she said it's �rewarding and so worth it.�
<http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2006/10/09/news/featurednews/news01.txt>