Published: September 30, 2008 12:01 am         

Black Indian Pow Wow offers education, events beginning Friday

Vandalism last week hasn’t deterred organizers of the sixth annual Black Indian Pow Wow from moving forward with the event.

It will be Friday and Saturday at Southern Heights Cultural Center and Museum, 616 Leona Mitchell.

Barbara Finley, director of the museum and the pow wow, said organizers still are cleaning up after the vandalism of the ethnic Indian display in front of the museum.

They were working on a teepee that was taken, and Finley said it is still in good condition and usable.

“We will clean it up and move on. We got the teepee back from the police department. They normally keep things for evidence, but they released it to us so we could get it up,” she said.

The opening ceremony will be 2 p.m. Friday, but grand entry will be at 7 p.m. when the weather is cooler. An educational summit discussing ethnic Indian issues will be 8 a.m. to noon Friday at Southern Heights Community Organization, 451 E. State. The summit will discuss some of the ongoing lawsuits regarding ethnic Indian disenfranchisement from some tribes. Finley said. The meeting is open to the public.

Events planned over the two-day period will include crafts and games held both days, ethnic food concessions and a traditional meal at 5 p.m. both days.

Finley said she expects as many as 500 people to attend, but has no actual number. Finley said she is uncertain if they will get overflow from the Vance Air Force Air Show this weekend.

“It’s been growing every year, and we will also have more tribes participate this year,” she said. “It’s inter-tribal and everybody’s welcome.”

Finley said representatives of the Five Civilized Tribes will be present, along with participants from some other tribes, not-ably the Otoe. The featured tribe is the Ponca Tribe, which will perform the drumming and original singing from the Ponca culture. Finley said the Ponca Tribe has been instrumental in helping ethnic Indians learn the Indian culture.

Head singer for the drum group is Johnny Kemble. Master of ceremonies is Ed Hinman. Head man dancer is Tim Little Voice, and head lady dancer is 2007-08 princess Kelli Warrior.

“They’ve been working with us to help us relearn our lost culture. They are known for preserving their culture and they are willing to share their Indian knowledge,” Finley said.

Among the events planned for the pow wow are a talking teepee educational presentation, which teaches Indian folklore and educational programs about ethnic Indian issues. There also will be a bingo game utilizing the Choctaw language to help participants learn the language. It is for both adults and children.

Children’s ev-ents will include artwork and face painting.

“There are a multitude of things going on, including a social dance afterward,” Finley said.

Dances with a DJ are scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Southern Heights Community Organization.

This year will feature more dancers in full regalia, Finley said, such as gourd dancing and ceremonial dancing, along with the second annual Indian Princess contest. Southern Heights Cultural Center and Museum will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days with additional ethnic Indian culture on display.