Annual powwow to return for Father’s Day weekend

Hundreds of American Indian dancers, drummers, artists, craftsmen and cultural enthusiasts will converge on Carson City June 16-18 for the annual Stewart Father’s Day Powwow.

The event, which is free and open to the public, includes competition dancing, drum circles and a host of auxiliary activities, including a fun run. The events will be held on the Grass at the former Stewart Indian School, 5500 Snyder Ave., in Carson City.

Sherry Rupert, executive director of the Nevada Indian Commission, said the event draws participants from tribes around the West and visitors from around the world – some coming from as far as Germany to attend the powwow.

The three-day event will kick off Friday, June 16 with grand entry scheduled for 7 p.m. It includes two sessions on Saturday, from 1-5 p.m. and 11-7 p.m. and will wrap up on Sunday with festivities from 1-4 p.m.

Gridley Hilpert of Sun Valley will serve as the Powwow’s Master of Ceremonies and Hank Johnson of Hungry Valley is the arena director.

The inaugural Color Fun Run, which is being sponsored by the Washoe Tribe and benefits the Stewart Recreation Program. The cost to participate is $20 for individuals; $10 for youths or $80 for teams of 5. The race will start and finish at the Stewart Community Wellness Center (better known as the gym) and will be run around the school’s campus. For more information about the fun run call Filomena Smokey at 775-883-7794.

Two events that will be held preliminary to the Pow Wow include a Stewart Alumni Reception and a Stewart Powwow Princess Pageant on Thursday, June 15.

The alumni event honors a female, male and posthumous Stewart Indian School alumni.

The Princess Pageant will select a Nevada Indian teen who will represent Stewart Indian School and the Father’s Day Powwow at events throughout the year.

The alumni event and pageant will be held at the Carson Plaza Events Center, 801 S. Carson St., beginning at 5:30 p.m. For details on those events, call Chris Ann Gibbons at (775) 687-8333, e-mail cgibbons@nic.nv.gov.