Post by Moon Seeker on Aug 8, 2009 21:04:03 GMT -5
Native Americans honor heritage at Indian Fair Days and Pow Wow
By Volney Dunavan / Community Correspondent
Northern Drum Black Bear Crossing and Southern Drum Hummingbird Singers drummed and sang songs of honor and celebration at the annual Indian Fair Days and Pow Wow this past weekend in North Fork.
The event is the primary fundraiser for the small, but well respected Sierra Mono Museum.
More than 30 vendors offered a wide variety of Native American handiwork, art and crafts as well as Indian tacos, fry bread and acorn mush cooked from the pounded and leached flour of acorns. Pow Wow is a gathering of Native Americans from throughout the United States. It is a time to renew friendships, celebrate the culture of the represented tribes and bring families together in a clean and sober celebration of the Native American heritage.
The weekend features many types of dances, most of which are done in regalia, the clothing designed and worn by each dancer. Many of the dances are competitive, honoring the best at various skills.
Very important is the Tiny Tot category, which encourages children under age six to learn and participate in the dances.
This year's Princess of Indian Fair Days was Samantha Cabada, the 13-year-old sister of outgoing Princess Renee Cabada. Samantha is Mono and Chukchansi, and will be starting the eighth grade at Cooper Middle School in Fresno. Brother Jordan Cabada, 7, was named Mini Brave. Alexis Nicole Sanchez was named Mini Princess. All of the royalty have been involved with Pow Wow since an early age.
Mono Museum volunteers filed for nonprofit status in 1966 and the doors of the museum opened officially in November 1971.
The building was refurbished over the last several years through a cooperative effort of the museum, US Forest Service, Ponderosa Telephone and the North Fork Chamber of Commerce.
The museum displays baskets and other woven pieces as well as implements, artifacts, books and a wonderful collection of animals that reside in the area. The museum honors all Mono people, not just those from one particular tribe.
The board of directors is made up of: Kelly Marshall, president; Lois Walker, vice president; Leona Chepo, secretary, cultural delegate and lifetime member; Haroleen Bowlan, director; Sandy Clark, public relations; Connie DeSilva, director; Sharon Carter, treasurer; and Ruby Pomona, cultural delegate and lifetime member.
The museum is located at 33103 Road 228, at the corner of Road 225, just east of North Fork.
Summer hours through Aug. 31 are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Winter hours do not include Saturdays. Dues cost $25 for Mono Indian active members or non-Mono associate members. Junior membership is $15 and business memberships are $150.
Details: (559) 877-2115.
www.sierrastar.com/104/story/49535.html
By Volney Dunavan / Community Correspondent
Northern Drum Black Bear Crossing and Southern Drum Hummingbird Singers drummed and sang songs of honor and celebration at the annual Indian Fair Days and Pow Wow this past weekend in North Fork.
The event is the primary fundraiser for the small, but well respected Sierra Mono Museum.
More than 30 vendors offered a wide variety of Native American handiwork, art and crafts as well as Indian tacos, fry bread and acorn mush cooked from the pounded and leached flour of acorns. Pow Wow is a gathering of Native Americans from throughout the United States. It is a time to renew friendships, celebrate the culture of the represented tribes and bring families together in a clean and sober celebration of the Native American heritage.
The weekend features many types of dances, most of which are done in regalia, the clothing designed and worn by each dancer. Many of the dances are competitive, honoring the best at various skills.
Very important is the Tiny Tot category, which encourages children under age six to learn and participate in the dances.
This year's Princess of Indian Fair Days was Samantha Cabada, the 13-year-old sister of outgoing Princess Renee Cabada. Samantha is Mono and Chukchansi, and will be starting the eighth grade at Cooper Middle School in Fresno. Brother Jordan Cabada, 7, was named Mini Brave. Alexis Nicole Sanchez was named Mini Princess. All of the royalty have been involved with Pow Wow since an early age.
Mono Museum volunteers filed for nonprofit status in 1966 and the doors of the museum opened officially in November 1971.
The building was refurbished over the last several years through a cooperative effort of the museum, US Forest Service, Ponderosa Telephone and the North Fork Chamber of Commerce.
The museum displays baskets and other woven pieces as well as implements, artifacts, books and a wonderful collection of animals that reside in the area. The museum honors all Mono people, not just those from one particular tribe.
The board of directors is made up of: Kelly Marshall, president; Lois Walker, vice president; Leona Chepo, secretary, cultural delegate and lifetime member; Haroleen Bowlan, director; Sandy Clark, public relations; Connie DeSilva, director; Sharon Carter, treasurer; and Ruby Pomona, cultural delegate and lifetime member.
The museum is located at 33103 Road 228, at the corner of Road 225, just east of North Fork.
Summer hours through Aug. 31 are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Winter hours do not include Saturdays. Dues cost $25 for Mono Indian active members or non-Mono associate members. Junior membership is $15 and business memberships are $150.
Details: (559) 877-2115.
www.sierrastar.com/104/story/49535.html