Reviewed October 15, 2007

2007 American Indian Pow-Wows

Morongo Tribe, September 28, 29 and 30.

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, October 12, 13 and 14th.

The pow-wow is a sacred event that serves two purposes: social and spiritual. It is a time for fun, reunions, and togetherness, where Native Americans join in dancing, singing, visiting, renewing old friendships and making new ones. It is also a time to reaffirm cultural and spiritual roots, both as individual tribes and as Native Americans as a whole. It is a time to rekindle thoughts of days gone by and to preserve a rich heritage.

I have had the pleasure over the last month of attending my first Native American Indian Pow-wows of the Morongo Tribe and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. I must say I was moved by the color and pageantry of the festivities. I found a personal bond to the song and dancing as I only recently came to realize my native Indian ancestry. I’d always been told of it, but never appreciated the fact nor delved into it’s history. Now you can’t stop me.

The Morongo pow-wow is held annually the last weekend of September at the Morongo Reservation and Casino grounds.

The San Manuel Pow-wow is held annually the second weekend of October at Cal-State San Bernardino.