Children of Many Colors Intertribal Powwow

The Children of Many Colors Intertribal Powwow is our signature event.  It began in 1994 on a horse ranch in Moorpark when the owner of the ranch announced, twelve days before his own annual fundraiser, that there would be a powwow, and that Redbird would put it on.  The Sarcinella family and a number of other community members came together in a sometimes humorous and slightly frantic effort to put together a proper gathering.  We had twelve dancers, including Saginaw Grant; our drum was Red Spirit, who arrived slightly late, one singer at a time…their house had caught fire the night before.  It was hot and dusty and the ground was hard and there was no shade.  And we learned so many things about the honor, commitment, selflessness, generosity and pride that goes into being part of a powwow, and the tremendous responsibility it is to host such a gathering.

Understanding some little bit of that responsibility, we realized a powwow is not a party, or a fundraiser, or something you do to bring attention to yourself.  Later that same year, Oren Lyons, Turtle Clan and Faithkeeper of  the Onendaga Nation, spoke at Claremont College.  One thing he said particularly resonated with Redbird’s founder.  Lyons said “Every woman is a mother, and every man an uncle, to every child, no matter what color they are.”  He spoke to our responsibility as human beings to care for the planet and the seven generations to come.  He spoke to  the need for right action in all of our affairs and on all levels of interaction, from personal to world governments.

If, in some way, a powwow could embody this philosophy, could remind people of this fundamental message, then it was worth the effort to continue.  And so the Children of Many Colors Powwow came to be.

Redbird’s 2024 Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow
June 7-9, 2024

Oxnard College Gymnasium Field (outdoors, on grass)
4000 S. Rose Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033

Free admission, everyone welcome

Native American singing, dancing, arts, crafts and food

Friday evening 6 PM  Open flute circle and vendor preview
(All wind instruments and their players welcome, open mic, all experience levels welcome)

Saturday 11 AM – 7 PM Native American Powwow

Sunday  11 AM – 6 PM Native American Powwow

(Veteran’s Honoring 11:30 AM approximate, all Veterans welcome)

Generous contributions from Southern California Edison, the Moon Family Trust and Oxnard College have made the 21st Redbird powwow possible.

A powwow is a Native American cultural celebration. Community powwows are important social and cultural events, weaving together the lives of native people across an urban fabric.  Redbird’s powwow is an intertribal gathering which prides itself in creating a friendly and supportive atmosphere for both participants and visitors.

Powwows are true cultural gatherings, not performances. Redbird’s powwow offers a number of opportunities for multicultural immersion without compromising the integrity of the gathering.  Our Friday evening open flute circle invites all wind instruments and their players to enjoy a relaxed coming together and an open microphone format.  People of all ethnicities, skill levels and ages are welcome to share their music.

A powwow includes singing, dancing, drumming, traditional music, arts, crafts and food.   Throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday there will be intertribal dances.  During these sets of songs, guests are welcome in the dance arena.  There are some dress and conduct guidelines and you probably are familiar with them – revealing clothing is not appropriate for men or women, touching dancers’ hair, feathers or regalia is not okay, and children should not be allowed to run through the arena.

On Sunday morning around 11:30 AM there will be a Veterans’ honoring.  All Veterans regardless of ethnicity or branch of service are welcome and encouraged to participate.

We offer the powwow as an event that we hope bridges ethnic and socio-economic boundaries in a healthy way, without compromising its integrity as an indigenous cultural gathering.

There is no charge for admission, and everyone is welcome.  Oxnard College is very close to the ocean and so the weather is typically mild with the potential for fog/mist/moisture/high humidity.

Redbird will provide spectator seating on the arena with folding chairs and canopies.  Guests planning to stay a while are welcome to bring their own shade canopies.  There will be space between the vendors and the dance arena for visitor canopies.