Giving Back - the Wild Horse 11th Annual Native American Powwow

All through the year, the Wild Horse drum performs throughout the western United States. They are often requested to be the host or invited northern style drum at Native American gatherings, and they are also called upon for special ceremonies.

Wild Horse has performed at weddings and funerals; in prisons and at indigenous ceremonies, in schools and for cultural programs and events throughout California.

Being cultural presenters is both an honor and a responsibility. Jorge Lechuga, lead singer for the drum and the founder of Wild Horse Native American Association, has a lot of songs in his head; upwards of two hundred, by some estimates.

To sing at a ceremony requires the knowledge of appropriate ceremonial songs. To sing and drum on the powwow circuit means not just knowing a wide repertoire of songs, but singing them with style, energy and precision, and a rhythmic beat that dancers can dance to.

Once a year, Wild Horse hosts their own Native American Intertribal Powwow. Usually it is the first powwow of the season in southern California. This year’s gathering will take place February 17 and 18 at North Torrance High School. Everyone, Indian and non-Indian alike, is welcome.

The annual event is their way of giving back to the community they have become an integral part of, as if the function they already serve isn’t enough.

When someone in the Native American community passes on, it is often the Wild Horse drum that the family will call upon to sing at their memorial service. Over the years the drum has earned a reputation of integrity and honor in the indigenous community. The Wild Horse singers aren’t just for show. When they are called upon to honor the passing of an elder or the singing of ceremonial songs, they take that obligation seriously.

Native American cultures were very nearly exterminated in the last two centuries. For a time it seemed certain that Indians would, indeed, vanish. Thankfully, the survivors of colonization and Manifest Destiny managed to preserve a portion of their cultures as well. Today, the celebration songs and dances of native peoples are very much alive in California.

The powwow has evolved over the last 150 years or so as a way for people of all tribal nations to come together and sing, dance and share their widely divergent cultures. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend, and witness a vibrant blend of traditional and contemporary styles of song, dance and regalia. And, of course, to experience the culinary delight of every powwow; Indian Frybread.

Admission to the gathering is free. The powwow is held inside the North Torrance High School gymnasium, and will take place rain or shine.

Written by Corina Roberts, http://www.RedbirdsVision.org


11TH ANNUAL WILDHORSE POW-WOW
FEBRUARY 17 & 18, 2007
ALL DRUMS AND DANCERS WELCOME!!
SATURDAY: 11:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M., GRAND ENTRY NOON
SUNDAY: 11:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M., GRAND ENTRY NOON
*NATIVE AMERICAN DANCING AND SINGING ** NATIVE AMERICAN ARTS & CRAFTS*
FREE ADMISSION
NORTH TORRANCE HIGH SCHOOL,
3620 W. 182ND ST., TORRANCE, CA 90504
For more information: (310) 987-1274 or email wildhorsesingers [at] yahoo.com