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Powwow Will Celebrate Native Culture
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Published: May 8, 2008
DADE CITY - Rick Bird and the Bird Choppers, Coty Wolfe, John "Aripeka" Jones, Leather Betty, Rex Begaye and Joseph Z are among those gathering for this weekend's 17th annual Mother's Day Native American Powwow.
Presented by the nonprofit Withlacoochee Native American Indian Culture Inc. and the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department, the powwow will offer an exchange of cultures and traditions.
The Friday through Sunday celebration will be at Withlacoochee River Park, 12449 Withlacoochee Blvd. The celebration includes dance performances, tours of an authentic Native America village, stories and legends passed down through the generations, hand-crafted items and food.
Here's a rundown of some of those attending:
•Rick Bird and the Bird Choppers, a drum and singing group from Cherokee, N.C.
•Also from Cherokee, Libby Wolfe, a traditional dancer who will reign as "head lady," and Coty Wolfe, a fancy dancer who will be "head man"
•John "Aripeka" Jones, arena director, and Bill Armstrong, master of ceremonies
•Veterans from all nations who will carry American flags into the arena
•Choctaw dancers from Mississippi
•All other dancers and drums who want to participate
•Rich Youngblood and Cherokee Dance
•Revolutionary Championship Wrestling world heavyweight tag team champions, who will sign autographs
•Navajo artist Rex Begaye, who also will sign and play the flute with his companion, Barbara
•Other flute players, including Joseph Z, Doc Green and one of his students
•"Leather Betty," displaying her brand of costumes worn by actors, country singers, rodeo queens and the Florida State Seminoles mascot
•Aztecs from Mexico City, who will talk about their way of life and sell mementos
•Maryland Hines, weaving pine straw baskets under an old oak tree on Saturday and Sunday
•The New World Celts, teaching about Native Americans who married Scottish traders, offering research materials, playing bagpipes and having a Highland Fling
Foods will include Indian fry bread, Indian tacos, fry dogs, gator nuggets, pumpkin fry bread, fried sweet potatoes and American festival fare.
Powwow hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Grand entry, when all the Native Americans enter the arena wearing their finest clothing, will be at 7 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Inter-tribal dancing follows the grand entries and the public will be invited to join in.
On Sunday, mothers will be welcomed into the arena to dance with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The first part of Friday's powwow will be dedicated to schoolchildren, who will enjoy games, storytelling, and tipi and arts demonstrations. Adults may join in, too.
Powwow admission is $2 for ages 13 and older; those 12 and younger get in free. Bring lawn chairs or something else to sit on.
Primitive, self-contained and motor home camping spots are available. Electrical hookups are limited and cost $35 for the weekend.
For information, call Mittie Wood at (352) 583-3388; Withlacoochee River Park, (352) 567-0264; or Sharon Thomas, (352) 521-3012 after 5 p.m.
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