Tribal Powwow Set for Hansen Dam

More than 400 dancers and drummers representing about 50 tribes will celebrate Native American heritage--and compete for cash prizes--at the third annual Los Angeles Intertribal Powwow on Saturday and Sunday at the Hansen Dam Sports Complex.

In addition to dancing and drumming competitions, the powwow will feature Native American music, food and a wide variety of arts and crafts, including Navajo turquoise and silver jewelry, Hopi pottery, Apache baskets and Sioux beadwork, organizers said. The powwow will also include storytelling and educational exhibits explaining the significance of the customs and rituals being observed, organizers said.

Local actor and artist Michael Horse will be among a handful of Native American celebrities serving on the staff of the festival. Horse, who has participated in powwows his entire life, said the Los Angeles event is great for families of all backgrounds.

“People don’t understand that the size of the Native American population in Los Angeles is the second biggest in the country [after] Oklahoma City,” Horse said. “The culture is still living and flourishing, and it’s happening where they live.”

“The music and the dancing are wonderful. Everyone dances from age 2 on up,” Horse said.

The powwow, co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and the Visions in Time Foundation, runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the sports complex at 11075 Foothill Blvd.

Admission is $6 general, $4 for seniors and children 11 and younger, free for children 3 and younger. Parking is $3.

For information, call (818) 734-0783.