Children take the lead in local powwow

Angelo Frost, Dewayne Baker and Elliott Baker carry the flags into the 2nd Children’s Powwow Grand Entry at the ELHI Community Center, Saturday, April 7.

Elisia Cruz dances during an intertribal at the 2nd annual Children’s Powwow on Saturday, April 7 at the ELHI Community Center.

Southern Ute Royalty, Autumn Sage, Tauri Rains and Myla Goodtracks dance together during the Grand Entry at the 2nd annual Children’s Powwow on Saturday, April 7 at the ELHI Community Center.

Daughters of the Red Road member, Ula Gregory and baby Maria Maez walk across the dance floor at the ELHI Community Center on Saturday, April 7.

Fancy Dancer Elisia Cruz, Jr. Miss Southern Ute Autumn Sage, Little Miss Southern Ute Myla Goodtracks, Southern Ute tribal member Elliott Baker and Southern Ute Brave Dominick Goodtracks dance together during a round dance.

Ignacio’s own, Yellow Jacket drum group fills the ELHI community building with honor, intertribal and round dance songs during Saturday’s powwow.

McKayla Lee | The Southern Ute Drum

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Thu Apr 12th, 2018 , by McKayla Lee | The Southern Ute Drum

“It was a good afternoon to do something and hang around with each other and listen to some good music,” Daughter’s of the Red Road member, Ula Gregory stated to a room full of tribal, community and family members who joined in on the 2^nd Annual Children’s Powwow that took place Saturday, April 7.

Members of Daughter’s of the Red Road hosted the powwow. The event took place at the Education, Health, Literacy and Inspiration (ELHI) Community Center. Many dancers, young and elder participated throughout the day long event.

Ignacio’s own, Yellow Jacket drum group was present at the powwow and filled the ELHI building with round dance, intertribal, and cake walk songs throughout the day.

To thank one of their major supporters, Margaret Hummingbird-Red, the Daughters of the Red Road requested an honor song for her. Hummingbird-Red has helped and shown her support for many youth and community events despite her battle with cancer.

The biggest display of support came from the youth who carried in the flags, said an opening prayer, emceed the powwow, and helped with numerous leadership roles during the event. The powwow helped show growth, independence and team leadership to the youth.

To help prepare for the powwow, women of the community sat down and donated their time by sewing pieces of outfits for the youth to give away during specials and contests held during the powwow. There were also donations from local shops to the raffle and cake walk specials that the Daughter’s of the Red Road hosted.

“We would love to make this [continue as] an annual event and show our youth of today that they matter!” Daughters of the Red Road member, Daisy Bluestar said.

The Daughters of the Red Road, are a group of women who host different events to “Get out into the community to get to know each other again,” Gregory explained.

The goal of the event, was “…to allow children to step forward and learn the roles of the powwow” the Daughter’s of the Red Road stated in an announcement for Saturday’s event.

The powwow will return again next year.