Native American Powwow Receives Support

For Immediate Release through July 20, 2008

Redbird a Recipient of
Ventura County Community Foundation Grant

Redbird’s Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow is getting some financial assistance this year from the Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics, a donor-advised fund of the Ventura County Community Foundation.

The powwow will take place Friday evening through Sunday, July 18 -20 on the athletic field at Moorpark College. Native American singing, drumming, dancing, arts, crafts and food booths will fill the field. The powwow is open to the public.

Visitors will find a wide variety of jewelry, crafts, traditional and contemporary art, craft supplies, books, music and clothing among the vendors, and two full days of dancing in the powwow arena. Indigenous people from throughout the western hemisphere participate in powwows, each with distinctive styles of regalia (clothing) and dance.

At Redbird’s 2007 powwow the two host drums, Hale and Company and Wild Horse, were accompanied by six other drums that showed up for the sheer joy of singing and being a part of the powwow.

Redbird’s mission in hosting this event is two-fold; to promote cultural continuity in the American Indian community, and to promote an understanding and appreciation of that culture to the non-native community.

A potluck and open flute circle beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday evening will give flute players a chance to share their unique styles of flute playing and flutes, and a chance for vendors to relax, share a meal and get ready for the weekend. The public is welcome.

The powwow will begin on Saturday at 11 a.m. with Gourd Dancing, a ceremony of the traditional warrior societies. Today, most gourd dancers are veterans of the U.S. Military and its various engagements, from World War II and Korea to Vietnam and Iraq.

Around noon the dance arena will come alive with Grand Entry, a procession in which all the dancers come into the arena together; the rest of the day will be filled with exhibition and intertribal dances, special presentations by the Chumash Nation and Bird Singers from as far away as Arizona, give-aways and special ceremonies. The powwow will end at 10 p.m. on Saturday, resuming on Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The grant from the Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics will be used to bridge the financial gap between the cost of hosting the gathering, and the anticipated income from the powwow. According to Redbird’s founder, Corina Roberts of Simi Valley, it costs roughly $12,000.00 to host the three day powwow; more than the gathering is expected to generate in returns.

Visitors are asked to consider giving a $2.00 per vehicle donation to offset the costs of the powwow. There is no charge for parking. There will be several ways to donate; to a parking attendant when volunteers are available, a donation receptacle near the Master of Ceremonies’ booth, and several “blanket dances” where a blanket will be placed on the ground in the arena and everyone will be welcomed to come out and leave an offering.

The Ventura County Community Foundation is a charitable foundation committed to promoting and enabling philanthropy, building long-term capital to benefit Ventura County. Its four primary roles are to be a careful steward of the funds entrusted to its care, a long term partner dedicated to donor intent, an effective grantmaker focusing on the needs of nonprofits and the community, and a community leader and convener, focusing on the common good.

Redbird is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non profit association promoting the awareness and celebration of indigenous cultures and people, and creating a sustainable future. More information about Redbird, the Children of Many Colors Powwow, the free coloring book “Powwow Time” and a list of community resources can be found at
http://www.RedbirdsVision.org


Submitted by
Corina Roberts, Redbird
(805) 217-0364
P.O. Box 702, Simi Valley, CA 93062
Email: redbirds_vision [at] hotmail.com