J.C. Allen-Tackett, Silverdale, dances during an intertribal dance at the Cowlitz Indian Tribe's 14th Annual Pow-Wow at Toledo High School in August 2013.
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe will be "Honoring the Spirit of All Cowlitz People" at the 15th annual Pow Wow Saturday, Sept. 20, at Toledo High School.
The Pow Wow is a full-day event, from noon until 10 p.m., and admission is free.
Master of Ceremonies Don Ryan (Cowlitz Tribe) will conduct grand entries at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., with the assistance of Arena Director Kevin King (Seneca-Oneida Tribes). Head Woman and Head Man Dancers, Ed (Yupik-Athabascan Tribes) and Vickie Wulf (Nipissing First Nation), will be hosts throughout the day and into the evening.
Grey Eagle will serve as Honor Drum and the Allen Family Singers will be Host Drum.
As in past years, veterans of all military services, whether Native or not, will be recognized and honored just after the grand entries with a handmade gift. The Cowlitz Drum Group will provide special presentations of their drumming and singing after each grand entry.
Dance contests will be held during the afternoon and evening sessions, with a diverse variety of contests that will provide for participation from all of the age ranges. There will be drumming, dancing and vendors selling crafts and food items throughout the day and evening.
Raffles will be ongoing throughout the event: a general raffle, a Pendleton blanket raffle and 50/50 raffles. These, along with food concessions and sales of merchandise specific to the Cowlitz Pow Wow, will help the Pow Wow committee raise funds to cover the expenses of the event.
A free dinner will be served at 5 p.m.; donations are accepted and appreciated. After dinner and before the 7 p.m. Grand Entry, a children's program with games will entertain youth who wish to participate.
Additional information can be obtained by contacting committee chair Suzanne Donaldson, (360) 280-2321 or suzanne@donaldson-enterprises.com. Interested vendors may contact Curt Stephens at (503) 504-0780 or pwvendor@cowlitz.org.
Individuals or organizations that would like to volunteer are asked to call Linda Foley, (206) 364-6757. Updates can be found on the website www.cowlitz.org and FaceBook page Cowlitz Indian Tribe Pow Wow.
