SeeCalifornia.com

The month of February brings a wealth of diversity in California ranging from parades and events celebrating Black Heritage to the Scottish Festivals, Mardi Gras and Native American Powwows. The PowWow is a celebration that invites the public to participate in tribal traditions through drumming, colorful costumes, song and dance. Let the drumbeats and rhythms move you as you hear the ancient sounds nearly forgotten.  Powwows bring people together to celebrate and remember simple concepts such as paying homage to nature’s blessings–water, sunshine & earth–all life-sustaining. The public is invited to these events that include vendors, foods, and fun for all ages.

Grant Saginaw, famous Indian actor, has appeared in many movies and TV productions ranging Skinwalker to The World’s Fastest Indian with Anthony Hopkins. He was a featured guest at a recent PowWow.

• ALTURAS February 11, 2012  Sweetheart Youth Powwow, Desert Rose Event Center, 901 County Rd. 56, Alturas CA.  This is a non-profit event and for educational purposes that is considered an exhibition powwow. There is no competition or day pay for visitors. MC Val ShawdowHawk. Headman Myron Horse. HeadWoman Rena Horse. Head Girl Wichoni Horse. HeadBoy Tatanka Horse. All dancers and drums welcome. Call: (530) 233 2226
• STOCKTON February 11, 2012. Winter Benefit Powwow. Edison High School, 1425 S. Center St., Stockton, CA. 11th Annual Winter Benefit Powwow at from Noon to 10 p. m. All Drums & Dancers Welcome! Call: (209) 933-7075 ext. 8069. Free to the Public.  Authentic Native American Foods & Crafts.
• LAWNDALE February 11 – 12, 2012 Wildhorse 16th Annual Powwow 14901 Inglewood Ave., Lawndale, CA. Contact: Jorge Lechuga Phone: 310-987-1274.  wildhorsesingersanddancers.org

For those who have a little bit of Indian blood within us, powwows offer the opportunity to reclaim the pride that has been lost. In my case, my great-grandmother was a Cherokee who tried to hide her Indian heritage by changing her  name and marrying an Irish immigrant.  We know little about her roots because she kept that hidden throughout her life. Though I feel far removed from Native peoples and causes, something speaks inside me when I attend a powwow.  It’s interesting how something about our “roots” seems ingrained in our very fiber.