Tuesday, May 26, 2015 • Gathering of the tribes called a huge success
Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, May 26, 2015 edition of the Lassen County Times. This year’s Pow Wow will be held Friday, June 20, Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22 at the Lassen Community College Softball Field.
This sign welcomes visitors and thanks elders and veterans.The Susanville Indian Rancheria’s sixth annual Pow Wow drew Native Americans from all across the West Coast and delighted hundreds of locals with drumming, songs and competitive dancers wearing colorful regalia.
The drum group Pouty provides the beat and the song for dancers.“This year’s event hit its total of more than 300 dancers with people coming from Washington, Montana, Arizona, Canada, Nevada, Oregon and Idaho,” said Ameila Luna, the Pow Wow’s coordinator. “Our biggest draw was Saturday night with the Hoop Dancer Nanabah Kadehehii from Tuba City, Arizona and the Men’s Fancy Dance with two encores for more. The crowd enjoyed, and wanted more.”
Native American dancers, clad in regalia, dance during the Grand Entry at the Susanville Indian Rancheria’s sixth annual Memorial Pow Wow held Saturday, May 16 at the Lassen County Fairgrounds.The Pow Wow honors tribal elders and veterans “for all the sacrifices you have made that we may live.”
Some of the regalia worn by Pow Wow participants is nothing short of spectacular.Luna said Johan Darlington, of the Soaring Eagle Chapter of the Blue Stars Mothers, presented gifts to veterans from the Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.
A color guard — comprised of Native American veterans — brings in the flags at the Pow Wow.“We had 10 non-Native veterans in this event such as Brandon Gutierrez, who said, ‘We are all brothers in combat serving our country,’” Luna said.
Head Woman Sisiley Scott played a large role in the Susanville Indian Rancheria’s sixth annual Memorial Pow Wow.Luna said the Head Woman hosted a junior girls Hat and Boot Contest, which was very entertaining considering that it has not been seen in this area. The contest will be brought back as a specialty dance for the young girls next year.
